Page 129 of Bitter Prince

Raven arched her brow. “You’re kidding, right? These three just about lectured my ear off.”

I rolled my eyes. “I doubt it.”

“You fell asleep,” Athena added. “I think you were too tired to listen to Raven rave about her sexy Irishman.”

“I have yet to meet a sexy Irishman,” I muttered. “Red-haired men are not my type.”

Everyone laughed but Raven. “First of all, if you listened, you’d know he has dark hair.” Her brow arched even higher, meeting her hairline. “And although his bedroom skills were impressive, if I ever see him again, he’s going to end up with broken ribs and in a month-long coma.”

“Uhhh, impressive.” Phoenix shook her head while Athena and Isla shared glances. “We better start saving for bail.”

This wasn’t the first time they’d discussed the mysterious stranger who’d hurt Raven’s heart. I asked Phoenix for his name, but she claimed she didn’t know it. Nobody did, because Raven refused to share it with anyone. He broke our friend’s heart and she hadn’t taken it well.

Needless to say, she never saw him again.

My stomach plummeted at the thought of never seeing Amon again. It wasn’t something I’d ever want to experience.

“Well, it was nice chatting with you all,” I said, getting to my feet. “But I—”

“Sit back down,” Phoenix ordered.

“So damn bossy,” I muttered.

“First, you’re not moving in with him,” she started, counting items off on her fingers. “Second, we’re going to put a limit on your time spent with the Leone brothers.”

Phoenix wouldn’t understand. She’d never been in love. Amon had had my heart for twelve years now. I couldn’t breathe without him. My world started and ended with him.

I straightened up and met my sister’s gaze head-on. “I will spend as much time with him as I want, and nobody ever mentioned moving in with him.”

Isla tried to play diplomat. “Reina, you staying with him for three days instead of coming home almost sounds like moving in.”

“Don’t crowd men,” Athena tried to help. “They don’t like clingy girlfriends.”

I let out a frustrated breath. “I’m not clingy.”

“Nobody’s saying you are,” Raven reasoned. “Don’t make him think you’re too into him. Maybe let him sweat for a day or two, then go back for some nookie.”

I fidgeted with my necklace. None of them made any sense. What was the point of pretending I didn’t want him? It wouldn’t make a difference.Wewere different.

“I told him I’d be back today,” I retorted stubbornly. “And I will.”

“Reina, please be reasonable. I know you think it’s romantic, but—”

“Don’t be a wuss,” Raven egged me on. “Be an independent woman. Stand your ground.”

I turned to Raven and glared. “I’mnota wuss,” I gritted. “And I will stand my ground when there’s reason for it.” I shook my head, annoyed with my overbearing, protective friends. “I’m just going to grab a few things and return to Amon’s place.”

I shot to my feet, and when Isla opened her mouth, I raised my palm. “Don’t bother trying to convince me otherwise. I’ll be back in a day or two.”

Raven was prepared to argue but Phoenix gave her a pointed look and signed, “Don’t bother. The more we argue, the less likely we are to convince her.”

Making my way into my bedroom, I retrieved my Lilly Pulitzer duffle bag and started loading it with a change of clothes and some toiletries. Amon had already purchased anything I could possibly need, but there were a few extra items that I wanted.

Amon’s dark and consuming eyes flashed in my mind, and my movements hurried. The warmth curled low in the pit of my stomach. I pictured the smile he’d give me when I returned and my heart swelled. Gosh, I was whipped.

“God, she’s so deep in love, she’s dreaming with her eyes wide open.”

My friends’ gazes and Athena’s voice pulled me back to reality, unaware they had followed me.