He threw his head back laughing. “That’s what I always liked about you, Em. You’re not like the other girls around here.” Leo stepped closer. “You make a guy work for it.”
“Don’t call me Em. Only my friends call me that.”
Leo lifted a brow. “You might want to loosen those restrictions since you don’t have any of those.”
I laughed mirthlessly. “Touché.”
Leo took another step, probably emboldened by my laugh. “So, you really do live with Harry and Vi? I’ll admit I didn’t believe it. I don’t think anyone hates your father more than his brother.”
Clenching my teeth, I spun and gave him my back. I didn’t need this piece of garbage telling me that.
My dad couldn’t get his older brother over for dinner on a good day, but if there was one thing that could catch Harrison’s interest, it was business. Like so many, my uncle believed the lodge was a sure thing and he put their differences aside to invest heavily in the project. Then his estranged brother ran off with his five million dollars, got him arrested, lost him clients he had for years, sullied the Bancroft name, and forced him to take in two teenagers. Yeah, it was safe to say my uncle despised Frank Bancroft.
“We’re all caught up, Leo. You can go now.”
“Don’t be like that.” His voice was louder. Closer. “I’ve been hearing all these rumors about you. For instance, Chanel’s mom said you’re joining us at the academy.” Leo’s breath ghosted over my hair. His heat seeped into me as he placed his hands on either side of the ledge, penning me in. “Tell me that’s a lie too.”
I forced myself to remain still though my skin crawled. I wouldn’t give Leo the satisfaction of thinking he was getting to me. “’Fraid not. You’re looking at the newest senior of Raven River Academy.”
He hissed. “Your uncle must hate you too. You won’t survive one day.”
“Do I look like I’m shaking?”
“You should be.” A hard edge crept into his voice. “It’s not just the OB trash coming for you, Bancroft.”
How quickly he dropped Em.
“It’s the Raveners too. Your parents humiliated every important family in the Estate. My dad had to report losses this quarter for the first time in the history of Tremaine Lumber. And I can promise you, we’ll get our money back one way”—he pressed a kiss to the back of my head—“or another.”
“Don’t touch me, Leo,” I said softly. “I won’t tell you twice.”
“I’ve been hearing a lot of rumors about you,” he whispered, moving his lips to my ear. My hairs stood on end as his hot breath washed over me. “The biggest one... is that you know exactly where your parents and the money are.”
I kept my tone even. “Is that right?”
“That’s right. So, this time I’m going to ask you nicely, where are they?”
I shrugged, bumping his chin. “Not a clue.”
“This isn’t a fucking game,” he growled. “The Raveners are going to tear your ass apart.”
“Who the hell are the Raveners?” I snorted a laugh. “Wait. Don’t tell me you guys gave yourself a name? Can you get any more pretentious?”
He heaved a sigh. “You just don’t help yourself, do you, Em? You always make the wrong choice. Pick the wrong side.”
I stiffened.
“You thought you were so much better than us, living on the outskirts of town, above all the bullshit. But now you’ll be in our house.” A hand gripped my ass. “I bet you’re wishing you were nicer to me that night.”
I snapped to the side, smashing my head into his jaw. A sharp cry sounded in my ear and I took my chance to bury my elbow in his gut. Leo’s smothering presence retreated as he stumbled back.
“I told you I wouldn’t say it twice,” I sang.
Stroking his jaw, a harsh laugh fell from his lips. “You’re lucky I don’t hit women.”
“No, you’re lucky you don’t hit women, ’cause I’d snap every bone in that damn hand if you tried it.”
We glared at each other, air sparking, and I was sharply reminded of the last time we squared off.
A band of light swept over the terrace, growing until we were exposed to the eyes of the party.
“Leo, go back inside,” said a smooth voice. “Brynn is looking for you.”
Just like that, the trickster’s grin returned. Leo bowed to me. “If you’ll excuse me, my fuck for the evening awaits. We’ll pick this up on Monday, Em.” He winked. “First day of school.”
Leo swept inside and slammed the door behind him, leaving us alone.
The newcomer tilted his head back. “Nice night.”
“Forget it,” I said. “I don’t have anything to say to you either.”
Corner of his lip quirking up, he replied, “Not even a thank-you for getting Leo off your back?”
I had no desire to see that stupid grin but I wasn’t turning my back on another one of them. “Who do you think you’re talking to, Julian? Have you forgotten I know your guys’ game? Leo is the funny devilish one. Nolan is the smart intellectual one. And you’re the sweet charming one that slides in to offer me your shoulder. It didn’t work on me then. It won’t work on me now.”
Chuckling, Julian joined me on the ledge, leaning back on the stone and folding his arms. This close to him, his beauty punched me in the gut. Yes, his beauty, because laying eyes on Julian is like the first time you look at a Monet, watch the sun set on the ocean, or gaze upon the city of Paris at night from atop the Eiffel Tower. There are an infinite number of ways to describe what you see but the first one that comes to mind is always... beautiful.
Silver hair swept back from his face except for the single lock hanging over his eyes. When he blinked, lashes that were surprisingly long and thick drew you in and then his blueish-gray orbs set the trap. Soft full lips and a sharp nose that wrinkled when he smiled. It was hard to believe he was just an accident of birth. Someone somewhere must have grown him in a lab.
“Casino Night was two years ago, Ember. We’ve grown up since then. We’re no longer betting on who’ll be first to fuck the elusive Bancroft girl.”
I flinched at his bluntness. “The guy who just walked off this terrace has not grown up, and I very much doubt you’ve changed, Julian.”
He placed his hand over his chest. “I swear,” he said, grinning. “I’m in a committed relationship now. Have been for over a year. I was just bored before and you’d get it if you grew up in the Estate. We all know each other. We all grew up together. And except for the occasional OB hook-up, we trade off fucking the same girls. It’s kind of incestuous when you think about it.
“Then you showed up at that Fourth of July picnic. A Bancroft. One of us. But rocking ripped shorts and green streaks and none of us knew what to do with ourselves. In our world, we don’t come across many originals.”
Julian expressed it in typical fashion but part of me understood what he was talking about. Seeing Aunt Violet and her carbon-copied friends added evidence to the accusation they all spoke, dressed, and behaved the same around here. I was definitely the only thirteen-year-old girl at that picnic with green hair.