Page 5 of All Your Lies

I shake my head at him, but he doesn’t acknowledge me.

Rule 1: “To become an heir and rightfully rule, one must take the life of another before their eighteenth birthday.”

three

Alexa

Alarge gust of wind blows in my face, causing me to bring in a startled gasp as my eyes spring open.

Jenna’s face is inches from mine. Her gray-blue eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Jesus, you scared the shit out of me.”

A Cheshire cat smile tugs at her lips. “I’m glad you’re awake. We should hit the spa.”

“It’s Friday.” I grumble.

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. If you get ready now, we can beat all the geriatric cougars and get one of the hot massage therapists.”

“Pass. I have to work,” I say as I stretch and get out of bed.

“Stop being so sensible. It’s not even your actual job, Mafia Madame.”

“Ugh. It’s called a capo, and I should’ve never told you.”

“Umm, yes, you should have. My best friend is going to be a Mafia boss. How badass.”

“There’s absolutely nothing badass about me,” I say as I think about my freak-out yesterday. To quiet my restless mind and ensure a peaceful night’s sleep, I had to rely on a sleeping pill once I got home. That’s not badass. It’s pitiful.

“You just haven’t come into your powers yet, is all.”

“I never knew murder and racketeering were powers.”

“On the contrary, it takes a lot of finesse.” Jenna’s stone-cold, serious face makes me smile. She strikes a balance between being lighthearted and an eccentric, silly psycho.

“Those true crime documentaries you love so much are going to rot your brain.”

She shrugs. “Knowledge is power.”

“You know, if you were smart, you’d run in the other direction. Why don’t you?”

“Easy,” Jenna says as she winds her long platinum-blond hair into a chaotic, messy bun. “I have no self-preservation.”

“Obviously.” I smile.

Her face turns serious as she looks me dead in the eyes. “You will be a phenomenal leader, though.”

“How do you have so much faith in me?”

“Easy. I don’t become friends with lames. Now, get up. I want to be rubbed out within an inch of my life.”

“Gross,” I say, scrunching my nose. “Like I said, I have to work. I swear you’re like Ten Second Tom.”

“Who the hell’s that?”

“Just a character in a movie,” I say as I turn off my alarm, which still won’t go off for another hour, thanks to Jenna’s early wake-up call. “You know, you should watch more movies. You’re missing out.”

“So, this Ten Second Tom, is he gorgeous with an amazing personality and undeniable humor?”