Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)(35)

At least I know there is one thing I can count on Charlie for. As long as I’m with him, he won’t let anyone hurt me. I’m convinced of it, and it goes a long way toward reassuring me.

Father chuckles, breaking up the tense standoff. “Charles is very possessive of Abigail.”

“So, I see.” Denton’s grin is tight. “But he’ll soon learn.” He turns his gaze to me again, and he might as well be stripping me bare with the way he leers at me.

Fucking pervert.

I’m learning all the elite are.

The way he’s looking at me reminds me of the way Christian Montgomery used to leer at me, and I’m beginning to realize this is a familiar trait.

I straighten my shoulders and meet his gaze dead on, refusing to cower at Charlie’s side any more. “If you’ll excuse me,” I say, moving past him and pulling Charlie with me. “I would like to meet my future sister-in-law.”

“Fucking asshole,” Charlie whispers in my ear as we walk to where Drew and Alessandra are standing beside the long, mahogany sideboard.

“Hey, little sis.” Drew pulls me into a hug. “He’s a prick,” he whispers in my ear.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” I ask, smiling as I size up Alessandra.

She’s even more stunning up close. She’s tall, almost as tall as Drew, with knockout curves and legs that go on for miles. Her piercing blue eyes are much darker than Jane’s lighter blue eyes, and that isn’t the only difference.

It’s as if Father deliberately went out and found a woman who is the complete opposite of my bestie.

I swallow over the lump in my throat, missing her more than ever and wishing she could be here even though I’m glad she’s not.

“This is my sister, Abby,” Drew says, forcing a pleasant smile on his face.

Alessandra’s eyes travel over my green and black fitted dress with disdain. She trails her gaze up my body, smirking at my big boobs, which look ridiculous on my small frame, before skimming my face with disinterest. She fakes a smile. “Nice to meet you,” she says, sounding like it’s a chore to act polite.

“Same.” I match her fake smile with one of my own. “This is my husband, Charlie.” It’s a miracle I get those words out without choking on them.

“Welcome to Rydeville,” Charlie says.

“I haven’t been all that thrilled at the idea of moving here,” she drawls in a Southern twang, her eyes lighting up as she studies Charlie. “But things are definitely looking up.” She wets her lips and bats her eyelashes at him.

What a fucking bitch.

It appears she isn’t just different from Jane in looks.

She’s about as opposite as you can get in every way.

“I suggest you pin those fuck-me eyes on your fiancé,” Charlie says, looking like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth while his voice oozes menace. “Because I’m very much in love with my wife, and the last thing you want is to make an enemy of me and Abby.”

“Oh, such promises.” She winks, sliding up to Drew. “Now I’m even more intrigued.”

A brief flash of irritation shimmers in my brother’s eyes, but he disguises it fast. “I don’t know what game you think you’re playing, but try and make a fool out of me and see how well that works out for you.” He smiles malevolently at her. “I dare you.”

“Maybe you’re not so boring after all,” she retorts as the sound of heels clacking off the polished floor draws my attention to the door.

Two gorgeous girls enter the room with their shoulders back and chests thrust forward, oozing sophistication and confidence. “Who are they?” I ask, glancing out into the hallway through the open door to see if their parents are with them.

“Giselle is Alessandra’s cousin and the woman with the red hair is Isabella, Alessandra’s older sister,” Drew confirms.

“I hope you found the bathroom okay, ladies,” Father says, perving over them unashamedly.

“You have a beautiful home, Mr. Hearst,” the tall redhead says, pawing at his arm as she sucks up to him.

From the corner of my eye, I spot Patrice narrowing her eyes at the girl. Perhaps she’s not fully emotionless after all.

“When will they be here?” the shorter blonde asks. She’s drop-dead gorgeous with long straight blonde hair falling to her butt and fabulous curves. She’s wearing a clingy gold and cream dress I would kill for. Although, it’s more suitable to go clubbing in than attend dinner in a stuffy mansion that’s over a hundred years old.

The sound of approaching footsteps in the hallway summons the arrival of more guests. An ominous sense of foreboding washes over me and my heart accelerates wildly. All the tiny hairs on the back of my neck lift when Father swivels his head in my direction, treating me to one of his smug grins. “I do believe our final guests have arrived.”

My eyes dart to Drew’s, and he subtly shakes his head, letting me know he’s as ill-informed as me.

My mouth is parched, my tongue almost glued to the roof of my mouth as I wait with bated breath to see who it is.

But deep down, in some subconscious part of me, I already know.

Atticus appears first, and the sight of his gloating face makes me want to commit murder.

Then two familiar forms darken the doorway, and my stomach lurches to my toes. Panic has a vise grip on my heart, and blood thrums through my veins as I stare horror-struck at Rick and Kai.