Broken Wings (Dark Legacy #1)

It shouldn’t have hurt to hear her say that, because I didn’t give a single fuck about the Deboises, but for some reason, my chest was aching.

“Catherine isn’t really a ‘kid person,’ ” Eddy continued. “And maybe it was just easier to fake your death and then put you into foster care, rather than deal with another crying child? Even with nannies, my mom said she still struggled with Oscar.”

Her lame reasoning was a clear grasp at straws, but there wasn’t much she could say to justify Catherine pretending I was dead.

Dante made a rough, angry sound from the back, but didn’t interrupt.

Eddy grinned, and it was a little evil. “It’s not all bad news. You were a breeched birth, and you tore Catherine to pieces. She ended up having all of her shit ripped out to stop her from bleeding out,” Eddy finished, and I blinked at that unexpected ending. “So, she couldn’t have more kids, and that was the perfect karma. You got your own back.”

“Maybe that’s why she hates me so much?” I pondered.

Eddy shook her head. “Catherine hates everyone.”

I was distracted then by the gates opening. Catherine knew we were out here, and that was my signal to get my ass inside.

“How did Oscar die?” I asked as I opened my door.

Dante opened his as well, even though there was no reason for him to get out. Catherine Deboise would not let him within five feet of her house, that was for sure.

Eddy leaned over so she could see me, the interior light in her car illuminating her doll-like features. “No one really knows. He took off one night, on his own, and then his body was found in the lake behind town the next day. He was banged up pretty badly, but there had been a storm that night so the local police believe it was just an accident.”

“That’s a lot,” I whispered, not sure what else I could say. It didn’t sound like Eddy believed the police, and I was sure she had a lot more information, but there was no more time for questions tonight. I probably wasn’t in the right headspace for any more life changing revelations like that anyway. Switching subjects, I turned to Dante. “What are you going to do? Thanks to my fuck up, you don’t have a car?”

He shrugged, looking relaxed. “I have friends in town; I’ll crash there tonight. Don’t worry about it.” His eyes narrowed. “Still got your phone?”

I patted my pocket, having completely forgotten about the little device he’d given me. “Yep, still there,” I said, pulling it out and checking it for cracks. Everything looked good.

“Keep it on you at all times,” he warned me. “My number is speed dial one. If you get into any trouble, any at all, you call me immediately. Okay?”

I saluted him. “Whatever you say, Sir Dante, sir.”

He relaxed before winking at me. “That’s my girl. Okay, I’ll let you go now, but I’ll be around.”

He took off into the dark, Eddy and I watching him until he disappeared completely into the night.

Eddy let out a low whistle. “Holy fuck. My panties are seriously wet right now.” Her wide brown eyes met mine, and she looked a little flushed.

I grinned. “Dante has that effect on chicks. They’re always hanging off him.”

Eddy fanned her face. “Is he yours?” she asked. “Just say the word, and I will remove him from my vibrator spank bank.”

I was already shaking my head, laughter bubbling from me. “Nope, Dante and I are just friends. Best friends. There’s never been anything romantic between us.”

Except the recent “lingering looks” had caught me off guard. And that damn new tattoo. It almost felt like he’d gotten my name on his ass or something. We probably needed to have a chat soon, establish those boundaries again, but right now I had too much other emotional shit to deal with.

“I better get inside,” I said, gesturing over my shoulder to the open gates. “Debitch doesn’t strike me as the patient type.”

Eddy snorted. “She’s been way worse since Oscar. He was her pride and joy.”

I felt a sliver of sympathy for her then, having suffered my own loss recently. Had she gotten me back just to fill the void Oscar’s death had left in her life, or was this about needing another successor? I mean, surely, she didn’t need a child that badly to inherit the money. Give it away to a charity or something.

“Thanks for the ride,” I said to Eddy.

“Wait!” she called. “What’s your number?”

I actually had no idea, since this was a phone Dante got for me. “Just put your number in here,” I said, handing the screen across to her.

She took about eight seconds, clearly familiar with the device. “Okay, awesome. Send me a text and we can catch up. School starts Monday, and I’m guessing you’ll be going to the same school as me. Catherine doesn’t strike me as the type to send her child to public school.”

“As long as I have one friend there, I can deal,” I said. School was school. And I was almost done, thankfully.

“I’ll show you the ropes,” she promised before she gave me a wave, and I closed the passenger door. Her engine revved, and she took off in a rush, tires slipping on the soft grass for a beat before finding traction. When the tail lights disappeared, I let out a low breath and faced my new home.

As I took the first step inside, it almost felt like I was walking to my death. I’d barely made it five feet from the gates, when they slid closed. I looked up into the trees and hedges nearby. It took me a minute, but I eventually found the cameras, hidden away and covered in greenery.

Baring my teeth, I raised my good hand and flipped her off.

Of course, it could have just been some overworked security guard watching, but I sensed it was Debitch herself. She had that psychotic air about her—particularly when she’d smacked me across the face.

Touching two fingers to my bruised cheek, I winced. It was a long trek back up to the main house, and I didn’t see anyone hurrying down to collect me in one of the ridiculous golf buggies that I’d seen parked by the front door. Why were rich people so lazy?

I folded my arms across my body, hugging my plaster cast close and gritting my teeth at the twinge of pain I was feeling. Somehow in my failed race, I’d cracked the plaster between my thumb and forefinger so it was no longer limiting movement like it should.

Stewart was waiting at the door when I finally arrived, and he politely held it open for me to enter before shutting and locking it.

“Did you have an enjoyable evening, Miss?” he enquired with a totally straight face. Was he fucking with me or actually serious?

Unsure, I responded with a tight smile. “Delightful.”

“Splendid,” he murmured, following me as I made my way up to the room I’d been assigned. Just as I was about to enter, I paused, staring at the door opposite mine. The door with an intricate, twisted gold “O” on it.

“Stewart?” I started, chewing my lip as I stared at that letter. “What happened to Oscar?”

The gray-haired man grimaced, glancing at the door in question. “I suggest you don’t say that name again, if you value your skin, Miss.” His lips pursed, and it was clear he wasn’t saying anything more on the subject.

I sighed and pushed open my door. I’d try getting more information out of Eddy at school on Monday.

“I do apologize, Miss,” Stewart murmured as I sat on the edge of my bed to take my shoes off. “Madam Deboise gave me clear instructions. You’re not to leave your room until she returns from her business trip.”

Outraged, I gaped at him. “And how long is that?”

“Monday morning, I believe.” He cringed a little as he said this and my jaw dropped further.

“That’s two whole days from now! What am I supposed to do in here?” I stood up to gesture my anger but he just stepped back and place his hand on the door handle, preparing to close it.

“Your school books have all been delivered. Madam suggests you might start catching up on everything your subpar education might have missed.” He indicated the pile on my desk, which hadn’t been there earlier. “I’ll ensure that meals are brought up as permitted.”