The Lies We Tell (The Four #1) - Becca Steele Page 0,16
between them and my mother when we all had dinner together, a couple of weeks ago.” That was an understatement. That dinner had been the most awkward, strained meal of my life. What was going on with this family? Everything so far that had happened since I’d come to Alstone had left me with more questions, and no answers.
He raised a brow, tapping his pen against his notepad. “If you want to know about them, why don’t you ask them?”
“You think Caiden would answer my questions?”
“No fucking chance.” He laughed softly. “But West might.” His face turned serious. “Look, remember what I told you, that first day of classes. It’s not my place to say anything—it’s up to them if they decide to share anything with you.”
“Okay, fine.” I sighed, turning back to the video. “Cassius?”
“What, now?”
“Your family’s on the board of Alstone Holdings, right?” Keeping my gaze focused on the screen, I held my breath, hoping he’d be more open to talking about this, since discussing the Cavendish family with him clearly wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
“Yeah, why?” He tilted his head towards mine.
“Does my mother have much to do with it all? I know she’s on the board, since she married Arlo.”
“To do with what?”
I twisted in my seat, turning back towards him. “Decision-making, stuff like that.”
His eyes met mine, and he nodded. “She’s a shareholder and a board member. So, yeah. She gets a vote, just like the other board members. That’s publicly available knowledge.”
“And what about—”
He lifted a finger in the air, cutting me off. “I’m sorry, babe. I get that you want to learn more about your new family, but I’m not the person you should be asking. Hasn’t your mother told you anything?”
“No. We don’t have that kind of relationship.” I sat back in my seat with a sigh. “Any kind of relationship, really.”
Any reply Cassius was going to make was swallowed by the video ending and the harsh overhead lights flickering on, making me screw up my eyes against the sudden brightness. The room burst into chatter, everyone standing and gathering their things, all wanting to make their escape from the lecture hall as quickly as possible.
Our conversation already forgotten, Cassius was up and out of his chair, lightning fast. “Gotta go. See ya later,” he called over his shoulder, and then he was gone, swallowed by the crowd. Not in such a rush to leave, I waited until the room had mostly emptied out, then made my way down the stairs and out into the late-afternoon sun. Although it was sunny, the air chilled me, and I zipped my jacket up to my chin. Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I turned to make my way back to my apartment.
“Winter!” I smiled as I saw James beckoning me over, and started crossing the grass quad towards him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Hot breath fell across my ear, and a shiver ran through me. My heart rate kicked up as I spun around, glaring at my stepbrother.
Seriously? Hadn’t Caiden got bored of shadowing me already? And more importantly, where had he appeared from, and why hadn’t I noticed him until now?
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m going to my apartment and saying hi to my friend on the way. Is that okay with you, King Caiden?”
“You need to choose your friends more wisely, Snowflake.”
“Lucky for me, but unlucky for you, I don’t care for your opinion. Will you stop following me? This is getting tiring.”
He stared down at me, his eyes darkening as the silence stretched, tension sparking between us.
“Caiden…” I tried. “Why are you doing this? What have I done to you?”
He took another step closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine. I could feel the heat of his body, even through my thick coat, and for one moment I forgot where we were and that he hated me. Could he feel it, too? This unwanted, magnetic pull between us? I licked my lips, my mouth suddenly dry, and his eyes zeroed in on the motion.
“Winter!” James’ insistent voice sounded, much closer than it had been a moment ago. It seemed to break the spell, and Caiden’s gaze turned hard.
“We’re always watching you, Winter.” With one last, scathing look, he backed away and was gone.
“What was all that about?” James raised a brow as he reached me.
“I wish I knew.”
“Forget him. He’s a dick.”
“That’s true.” A frustrated sigh escaped me. I started walking in the direction