Page 62 of Bitter Prince

I sighed, my stomach rolling with the thought. “I kind of want to know everything, but then I don’t want to know anything about it,” I admitted. “Googling ‘criminal organizations’ didn’t help. I feel like an inexperienced wannabe or something.”

Phoenix snorted, linking her arm through mine as we headed down to the pool, much to my dismay. I did not want another encounter with the damn snake. “So what’s your theory on their discussion?”

“I don’t know, but I’m going to ask Maria,” I told her. “She was there the entire time.”

She laughed, opening the door to the terrace. “Good luck with that.” She pulled me onto the terrace and changed the subject.“What ever happened to the fashion line that reached out for your designs?”

“I haven’t had time to go over the contract yet.” I sighed. It was the truth. I’d hardly had any time to myself lately. Not that I normally had much, but with taking extra classes on top of my double major, I’d barely had a chance to breathe. “Besides, until I’m eighteen, I can’t legally sign it, so I’m dragging my feet.”

“Should we ask Papà to increase our allowance? Or Grandma?”

“No.” My voice was definitive. “We have enough. The apartment is paid through to the end of the year.”

“What are you two talking about with such grim faces?” Isla asked while Raven and Athena looked on curiously.

“Nothing,” I answered.

“Our allowance,” Phoenix signed.

I shot her a look, making her cringe.

Isla frowned. “Do you girls need money?”

My sister and I shook our heads. We got a generous allowance from Papà, although admittedly I spent too much on clothes, shoes, and therapy. Phoenix spent a lot on her music lessons, piano rentals and practice space, music books, and beauty products. I just had to pump the brakes on fabric and clothes shopping. My sister had to pump the brakes on a lot more.

“I can help,” Isla claimed.

“Thank you, but no,” I told her. It was safe to say that Phoenix and I would never go hungry with the trust fund Mamma set up for us. Papà and Grandma were loaded, but they wanted to teach us how to responsibly manage money.

“One of us could always take one for the team and sleep with Isla’s brother,” Raven teased.

“Don’t fucking look at me,” Isla grumbled. “He’s my brother. Gross.”

We all chuckled. Athena and Raven gave me a pointed look, and I shot my hands up. “Don’t look at me. He’s too old for me and not my type.”

Phoenix chuckled. “Amon Leone is her type.”

I shoved my shoulder into hers. “Stop it.”

She grinned. “Never. Amon and Reina sitting in a tree.” My sister managed to look like she was breakdancing and rapping at the same time.

“K-I-S-S-I-N-G,” all four of them chimed in.

I ignored them and neared the pool. Glancing over my shoulder, I waved frantically, and just like I knew they would, they came running. I pointed to the water, and they all leaned in to get a closer look.

And then I cannonballed into the pool, splashing them all and hearing their squeals even underwater.

* * *

Two days later, we were back in Paris.

Just as Phoenix predicted, talking to Maria was like talking to a wall. She feigned ignorance, claiming she had no idea what I was asking or talking about. She even went as far as blaming her English-speaking abilities. So “failed mission” was the result.

And then there was Amon. I hadn’t seen or heard from him, but I spent every waking moment thinking about him.

The girls and I entered the apartment with a sigh.

“Home sweet home,” Athena muttered, and I couldn’t agree more.