A High so Sweet (Thornes & Roses #2) - Dani Rene Page 0,17
as if we were royalty. Champagne is offered, and I quickly take a flute and gulp down a mouthful. The bubbles fizz over my tongue as Paulo presses his fingers against the base of my spine in warning. He watches me all the time. Whenever we’re out, the heat of his stare will keep me in line as if I were a puppet on a string, and Paulo grips them oh so tightly.
We move through the crowd, and as I search the sea of people for a familiar face, I realize my heart is thudding against my ribs. He’s close; he must be. With every step out into the garden, nervous energy takes hold and doesn’t let go. It would’ve been better if I were here alone, so I could talk to Cassian without Paulo’s watchful gaze. But that would never have happened.
“Hello.” Mr. Thorne saunters up to us, his hand outstretched to shake Paulo’s before he brings mine to his lips. “Welcome to the party. I trust you’ll enjoy the evening. We’ll have a few games, dancing, and drinks throughout the night.”
“Thank you,” Paulo responds because I can’t find the words. The man who stood in my living room when I was seventeen is before me. Cassian’s father. He doesn’t recognize me, and if he does, he doesn’t say anything.
Once we’re alone again, I turn to take in the house from this side of the garden. It’s exquisite. Fairy lights trail along the balconies of the bedrooms on the first floor. Lanterns of dancing flames frame the garden, along with a dance floor that has been set up on the grass. But the moment I step on it, I find it’s stable enough to feel like an actual concrete floor.
Music blares from the speakers, but my mind is still racing with possibilities. The thought of finally seeing him is at the forefront of my thoughts, and when Paulo leans in, I gasp in surprise.
“I’m going to the restroom,” he tells me. “Be a good girl.” There’s another warning in his tone. Paulo has never trusted me. The past two years have been a struggle. And even though I have no choice but to keep the ring on my finger, deep down, I wish someone would save me from the life I chose.
I set my empty glass down and move through the garden. With every step, I can’t help but smile at the decorations. After years of hosting the gala, the Thornes still go out of their way to ensure it’s the talk of the town.
A cold shiver trickles down my spine, and when I turn toward the porch which lines the back of the property, my mouth falls open. In the shadows, closest to where the kitchen entrance is, is a form. A man. It’s clear that he’s staring right at me, his gaze driving a hole through my chest.
The lights are off, which casts him in an eerie glow from the illumination from the party. I’m about to make my way toward him. To demand he talk to me when someone grabs my arm. I turn to find Genevieve, the redhead who I grew up with, smiling at me.
“It’s good to see you,” she says. “I didn’t realize you were back.”
“We only arrived yesterday,” I inform her. We’ve never been friends. She’s always wanted a Thorne on her arm, and while her jealousy over my friendship with Cassian was clear, it didn’t stop him from choosing to hang out with me rather than her.
“Well, I hope you enjoy the party. Cassian and Finn will most certainly be shocked to see a blast from the past,” she remarks before leaving me alone. I want to turn around to see if he’s still standing there, but I don’t. Instead, I fall into the sea of people and find a few old classmates.
We get into conversation, and for a moment, I relax.
But I know it won’t last long.
Because those eyes are still on me.
8
Cassian
The silver moon peeks at me from between the dark and stormy clouds, reminding me that it’s watching. I can’t help but smile. The promise of a night of debauchery is what I needed, and now that I’m back in Thorne Haven, I can enjoy the freedom.
The woods beckon with the creak of branches as the howling wind snakes through the trunks. Nature has a mind of her own, and when she’s angry, you’d better be careful. Shrugging on my hoodie, I smile, which causes the skeleton mask