Secret Heir (Dynasty #1)(33)

“Please come tonight—you’re going to love it,” Dani asks, as she rifles through my overflowing closet.

I still can’t get used to the fact that I now own more clothes than I’ve ever owned in my entire life. I was more than happy to agree to let Dani come over and pick out an outfit earlier. But I’m not so happy about the fact that she’s pleading with me to go to a gig tonight.

Granted, it’s a Friday and it’s a gig that she’ll be performing at. But I’m not exactly a social butterfly and going to a gig on a Friday night where there would, no doubt, be other students from Regency, doesn’t sound very appealing.

“Please—you’re like my only friend here at Regency. You have to come and support me tonight.”

Dani pulls a mock sad face and I can feel myself relenting. It’s her next words that seal the deal, though.

“Besides, you don’t want to stick around here on a Friday night. The Dynasty heirs might throw an impromptu party and you’ll have to suffer through it locked in your bedroom.”

I jump up from my huge ass bed and begin looking through my closet, too.

“Fine. You’ve convinced me,” I reply, rolling my eyes.

Dani gives me an excited hug in response.

“You’ll love it. Battle of the bands at Twisted is insane and the band I sing with is pretty damn good, if I do say so myself.”

“Where’d you meet them?” I ask, as I try to find something sensible to wear. I’d never been to a gig before, so I have no idea what’s appropriate.

“I take music lessons during the summer in Arcadia. These guys are from the same music center as the one I go to, and they kick ass on stage.

“I still can’t believe this is your room and that I’m actually in Sovereign Hall. I never thought I’d get to step foot in here. I also can’t believe how many clothes you have. You’re so lucky.”

I can’t help the sadness that creeps into my smile then.

“It wasn’t always like this, Dan,” I reply. “Most days I still don’t really believe any of it is really mine.”

Her eyes turn serious then.

“But it is yours—all of it. So, you need to own it, girl.”

I feel myself smiling in response.

“And the first step to owning it, is to wear this tonight.” She holds up a tiny black dress which looks so tight, that it’s almost indecent. I have a feeling that Magnus didn’t have much involvement in picking out the contents of his seventeen-year-old granddaughter’s closet. Because if he did, this tiny black dress would definitely not have been included.

“Oh, no—no way,” I reply.

Dani just smiles back at me in response.





12





Clearly under-aged drinking isn’t an issue here in Arcadia, or at least not at Twisted.

The DJ is still playing as the first band sets up on stage, when Dani orders a second round of drinks. We’re with two of her band mates—two alternative rocker type guys and a red haired girl with tattoos covering one arm. Just like Dani, they’re laid back, cool and utterly normal. A welcome break from the spoiled brats at Regency.

They don’t suspect that I’m not exactly one of them—i.e. half human and supposedly a Dynasty heir. But then again, why would they? That makes me relax all the more, which is no easy feat, given that I’m wearing the tiny black dress that Dani coerced me into wearing. Paired with sky high black heels, I may as well be back at Rodeo Ricky’s.

Dani’s band goes off backstage and I’m in mid-conversation with Dani, when her eyes widen as she looks at something behind me.

“Can I get you a drink?” The voice behind me is familiar and the smile drops off my face when I turn.

Aquamarine eyes look down at me and I find myself face to face with Baron. Dressed in a grey t-shirt and black jeans, he’s undeniably gorgeous. Too bad he’s best friends with my arch-enemy.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I demand, aware that I’m being rude. Dani is gaping at me, as if I’ve just lost my mind. I scan the crowd then, because if Baron is here, then it means that Raph must be close by. But I don’t see him.

“Relax, sweetheart, I’m not stalking you. Lance is playing in the battle tonight. I’m here to support.”

Dani lets out a yelp.

“Lance is playing?” she asks.

Baron notices her standing next to me then.

“Yeah, he’s playing with his band—you know the Ten Knox Nails.”

“No way! Lance is in Ten Knox Nails?” Dani’s forgets her usual star struck demeanor whenever she’s around one of the Dynasty heirs and it’s replaced by her enthusiasm for music.

“Yeah, they rock. You’re Dani, right?” Baron says, flashing that smile that no doubt makes all the panties on campus drop.

Dani and I are both surprised that he knows her name. Somehow it makes him less of an ass in my eyes.

“Yeah, nice to meet you,” she replies, reverting back to shyness.

He regards her curiously for a moment.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” he asks, and we’re all confused now.

“Yeah, she goes to your school, remember?” I say, sarcastically.

Baron only shakes his head and his eyes look like they’re trying to piece together a puzzle. Clearly thinking makes his brain hurt, because he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it.