Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Alexei
Iwant to rip my fucking skin off. I want to filet my skin and burn it for betraying me. Punish it for lighting up when she touches me.
She's the enemy.
She's fucking the bodyguard.
She's engaged to my brother.
She might be marrying my brother.
I tear through the party, my feet slipping from beneath me as I run towards the porch for air. I grip the railing and gag over the edge, bile rising in my throat as I do. I almost choke on it. Good.
I scrub a hand over my sweat soaked face. I've never felt so out of control and off plan ever before. I'm not sure how long I've been out there when I sense someone approach.
"You're royally fucking this up you know," Isla says. I turn and scoff at her before facing out into the night again and lighting up a cigarette. Hoping it might burn away some of the anguish.
"What would you know?" I spit back at her, my stomach threatening to come up through my throat as I inhale the smoke.
"Everything," she chuckles and rests on the railing beside me. "Or did you not call me here because you were losing your mind?"
I rub at my head.
"She's the fucking enemy. She... wraps herself up in a delicate little package like we're supposed to think she's not capable of anything," I say, thrusting my arms into the night air. "But she'll be the one to take us all down. I don't trust her. Victor shouldn't trust her."
Isla rolls her eyes. "Not this shit again."
"I know you don't like my brother-"
"That's the understatement of the century," Isla says. "Be concerned with your own actions for once. And ignore Victor's. Besides, it's not Victor she's looking at."
This time, I chance a look back into where the party goes strong. My eyes find her instantly, as if I've got radar on her. I see her far in the distance, surrounded by Fallon and her uncle, but smiling up into Prince's eyes.
"Does it matter?" I ask, inclining my head to where I see Sage and then turning to look over the gardens because I can't watch her give him those puppy dog eyes.
"She's in love with the bodyguard," Isla nods, voice turning solemn as the wind picks up and crickets chirp in the distance.
"And if she weren't, she'd marry Victor," I say. "Hell, she might even do that anyway."
Isla worries her lip, studying Sage closely. "She won't go through with it. That would be stupid. And she's not stupid."
I throw the cigarette down and take a deep breath, feeling as if I've gained a semblance of control over my sanity again.
"Victor has more than failed to capture her attention," Isla says, stubbing my cigarette out for me with her red pump.
I huff a laugh, thinking of my brother. "I don't think Victor realizes that."
"I think he does," Isla says. "It worries me what he'll do with that knowledge."
"Do you have to always think the worst of him?" I ask, glaring at her. It's always something with these two. I hate being put in the middle. To both of their dismay, I will not choose between them. I could never give up Victor. I could never give up Isla.
"He's given me reason to," she replies.
"He's my brother," I say.
"Yes, and that is the only reason I haven't slit his throat," she says, turning angry eyes on mine. So full of hatred for him. Even though they've slept together numerous times.
I groan. "That's not the real issue, anyway."
"What is?" Isla asks.
"She planted a cloning device on Victor's phone.
She's up to something. Hiding something.
" I fold my arms as I turn to watch her too.
She's still laughing with her family, giving Prince those heart eyes.
I clench my teeth as I watch her hand curl around his arm.
He looks at her like she makes up his whole world.
Isla pauses for a moment, her brow furrowing as she sees me react. "I like her," Isla says.
I huff a laugh. Of course, she does.
I, though, cannot have the luxury of liking her.
I have to forget her. Forget niceties. Forget olive silk dresses, green eyes, dark hair. No. All of it is designed to distract me and I've let it. I will not let myself be as blinded by her as the rest of these fuckers are.
That's it. That's all it is. Just like I said. She's a pretty package, designed to be a distraction. I can't let myself get caught up in her bed. Web! I mean... caught in her web. Jesus.
"She's just playing me like she's playing the others," I say, watching Sage as my vision darkens.
Out the corner of my eye, I see Isla shake her head. "God, you're such a fool," she laughs. "You usually see everything. How are you so incredibly blind?"
I give her a strange look, but she just smirks at me. "When you pull your head out of your ass come find me." She winks, rushing into the party at a skip where she settles in alongside Sage, linking their arms like they're the best of friends.
Sage smiles, arm going around Isla as well, and they start to engage in conversation. Enough of one that has Sage tipping her head back in a laugh.
When I see Isla subtly tug Sage's hand away from Prince's, I bite my cheek to stop a smile.