Chapter 20
TWENTY
My skin feels alive, at war with my mind.
The hum of the car engine thrums in my ears as Sylus navigates Koen’s G-Wagon through the Vegas streets. Annabelle’s voice floats from the passenger seat as she talks animatedly with him. It’s light, easy—a perfect distraction for them.
For me? Not so much.
I drag my thumb across the corner of my mouth absentmindedly, trying to look out the window and not obsessively watch Nova’s every tremble. Her hand is clamped around mine like a vice, her breaths uneven. She’s fidgeting with the silver bracelet on her wrist, sliding it back and forth.
I should’ve noticed earlier. Should’ve seen how much she was struggling on the drive to the Plaza. She was up front then, and I’d been so busy wrestling my own demons that I didn’t see hers clawing at her. Of course, this is hard for her, being in a car after what happened to us.
For me, cars never became the enemy. I have my own shit to carry, my own scars, but Nova? It makes sense. It fucking makes sense. And it guts me that I didn’t piece it together sooner. Another thing I’ve ruined for her.
Another way her life is harder because of me.
I squeeze her hand, trying to offer her something. Her grip tightens, but she doesn’t look at me. I hate that this is one more thing she has to fight against.
Because of me.
I shift in my seat, trying to stay calm for her. Trying to channel the steady energy she gave me earlier when we were at the Plaza.
Leaving the house had been the hardest part, but my mind had screamed at me to turn back as I climbed into the car, every nerve in my body begging to bolt.
Even standing in front of the hotel, I almost cracked.
Almost begged them to take me home, to let me escape this.
But I didn’t. I’d clung to the breathing techniques my therapist drilled into me, pulling each inhale and exhale as a lifeline.
And then Sylus placed her hand in mine.
Her small, warm hand was all it took for the world to shift. Not completely. Not enough to make the fear vanish. But enough to make it manageable. Enough to keep me standing there instead of bolting like the coward I am.
After that, it got easier. Slowly, gradually, but it was easier. There was stuff to do, things to check, places to inspect. Annabelle to evaluate.
Annabelle, who’s laughing now at some joke Sylus made, her voice spilling into the car, sounding like sunshine. I like her. I really fucking like her. She’s exactly the kind of friend Nova deserves—loyal, sharp, and unshakably in her corner.
Still, my focus is on Nova. My girl.
She’s my motivation for everything now. Every step I take, every time I push myself further than I think I can go, it’s because of her. And if she’s with me, I can do fucking anything.
The car finally comes to a stop in the garage, and I let out a quiet breath of relief, not for me, but for Nova.
As much as I hate letting go of her hand, I release her grip to push the car door open and step out.
The cool air of the garage hits me like a balm, but it’s nothing compared to the warmth that shoots through me when she reaches out for my hand again as soon as we’re standing side by side.
Fuck if I’d ever let this hand go.
Her fingers slip into mine as though they’re meant to be there, and together, we walk into the house, the faint smell of soy sauce and sesame oil greeting us as we step through the door.
Voices come from the living room, and Nova squeezes my hand as we head toward the sound, finding the twins, Nicholas, and Ezra sprawled out on the couch and armchairs around a ridiculous amount of takeout containers.
Levi spots us first, springing up from his spot beside Ezra, the motion making Pebble flutter her wings indignantly. “Whoa there, little one,” Levi murmurs, steadying the pigeon with a practiced hand before flashing us his trademark grin. “Hey, guys! Annabelle. So good to see you again.”
Annabelle freezes, her eyes darting between Levi and Nova like she’s trying to confirm reality. Her hands fly to her cheeks, and she whisper-shouts to Nova, “Levi Lane knows my name!”
Levi chuckles. “Of course, I know my bestie’s bestie’s name.”
“Bestie, huh?” Nova arches a brow, her lips curving into an amused smirk. “What, you’re not mad at me anymore?”
I glance at Nova. I know my girl. That outburst from Levi after she got caught has been weighing on her. She’d never admit it outright, never let it show, but it’s been there. It was clear as day, at least to me.
“No.” Levi’s grin falters for half a second before he steps closer. “I was a damn dick for how I reacted. I’m sorry.”
I choke on air. “You’re sorry?”
Levi Lane apologizing? That’s gotta be a first.
Levi’s gaze flicks to Ezra, and his grin returns, though this time it’s softer, more genuine. “Yeah. I’m pretty blissed out right now, so everything’s nice and shiny.”
Nova lets out a huff of laughter, but my focus shifts to Ezra. He’s sitting there, watching me with what I can only describe as a smile. Not his usual expression of annoyance or judgment, but an actual small, genuine smile.
What the actual fuck?
I blink at him, and he gives the barest shrug as if this is totally normal like it’s not throwing me for a goddamn loop that he’s treating me with everything other than dislike for once.
Koen stands next and walks up to us. “Hey, Annabelle. How are you?”
Annabelle’s jaw drops, and she turns to Nova with wide eyes, pointing at Koen like she needs confirmation. Nova huffs again, clearly amused. “Yeah, Koen Lane knows your fucking name too. Get over it.”
Koen chuckles, leaning down to press a quick kiss to Nova’s temple. “That’s what happens when you’re with celebrities,” he teases.
Annabelle stares at him, then at me, Sylus, and finally, Nicholas, who’s watching the whole interaction from where he’s sitting in the armchair.
“Okay, seriously.” Her voice is tinged with disbelief as she looks back at Nova.
“Girl, you’re hot as fuck, but they are ridiculously handsome.
Like, how did you bag all four of them?”
“She didn’t bag us.” Sylus snickers. “We bagged her.”
Koen adds with a smirk, “It was a group effort.”
Nova rolls her eyes, but her lips twitch like she’s fighting back a smile.
“Why are you guys all here, anyway?” She looks pointedly at Nicholas, and yes, I’d also love to know why he’s here.
I don’t know him, but Koen said Nova has a crush on him, so he has to be somewhat decent. I trust her judgment.
Nicholas leans casually against the back of the armchair, his face neutral with a flicker of humor in his eyes. The fact that he didn’t protest that he wasn’t in her bag yet tells me all I need to know. “Same reason you are. Strategy talk.”
Ezra nods, finally speaking, “We’ve got a lot to go over. But first…” His gaze flicks to the pile of takeout containers. “Food. Then we plan.”
Nova’s hand tightens around mine again, and I glance down at her, her expression soft but tired. She looks at me like I’m her anchor, and fuck if I don’t feel the same about her.
We all settle down, the scent of Chinese takeout getting even stronger as the containers are passed around. Nova sits beside me, and her shoulder brushes mine occasionally. Probably not intentionally, but I don’t mind it at all.
This will work out.
The room quiets as we start eating, but it doesn’t last long.
“So,” Koen begins, setting his empty container on the table. “I saw Veronica today.”
All eyes snap to him. My hand stills mid-bite as the words sink in. He pauses for a moment, his gaze flicking to Nicholas before continuing. “She’s… playing nice. But it’s obviously calculated. She’s trying to pull us into this whole we’re-family act.”
Nicholas exhales sharply. “It’s not only about being friendly. She plans to lull you into a sense of trust and eventually get you to hand over financial control. And when she has it…”
“She plans to hurt the twins?” Nova speaks up.
Nicholas looks directly at her. “She didn’t say it outright, but yes. That’s her endgame. Build a connection, gain access, and when she’s in complete control… accidents happen.”
“Of course.” Levi huffs out a bitter laugh. “Fucking bitch.” His knuckles are white as they grip the edge of his plate. “If we don’t pull this off, Veronica won’t just get away. She’ll come after all of us. We’re not walking away from this without finishing it.”
Annabelle leans closer to Nova. “So this shit is serious, huh?”
“Pretty much, yes. Still time to pull out.”
Annabelle grins, the spark of mischief in her eyes as she whispers, “Never.”
“Wait until you hear what we need you to do,” I mutter, taking another bite of a dumpling.
“Oh, yeah? Then spill, Blondie.”
“Like I said,” I start, putting down my container. “We want to send a message that appears as though it’s from Veronica to make them attend. For that, we need access to their phones, which means we’re going to find them and act as a wire mob to pull it off.”
Nicholas raises an eyebrow, looking genuinely confused. “What’s a wire mob?”
“The oldest trick there is.” I shrug.
Ezra snorts, leaning forward. “That’s not called a trick. It’s called a felony.”
Levi fusses with Pebble, still perched on his shoulder. “Don’t be dramatic, Ezy.”
“It’s not dramatic.” Ezra crosses his arms. “It’s the law.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Levi waves him off. “Please, Ric, continue. Ignore our resident buzzkill.”