Page 110 of Dark Knight (Knight's Ridge Empire 10)

CALLI

The weekend has been long and dull. Probably the exact opposite of how the first weekend of the school holidays should be, but there we are.

Mum and Dad have been suspiciously present upstairs, which has meant I’ve spent even more time than usual locked down in my basement. I’ve studied until I can no longer focus, and I’ve spent hours playing around on my iPad, coming up with new designs. I’ve even looked into setting up an online store as Emmie suggested, but just the thought of turning this into something more than a hobby scares me shitless.

Emmie and Stella have delighted me with tales of their night in Hades with their guys, most of which conjured up images I never ever needed in my head. I’m still trying to get to grips with the fact that Toby has some major kinks he’s kept hidden from us all, let alone them all indulging in the illicit things Hades has to offer.

Of course, I’ve never actually visited.

My knowledge of what’s inside is purely from my own imagination, and a cheeky read of a certain trilogy last year when my curiosity became too much for me to ignore.

My final call with Stella ended with her telling me that I must be ready by midday today and that I needed to pack a bag for a couple of days away.

She’s still refusing to tell me where we’re going. Emmie too. And even my attempts to get the intel out of Alex on Friday night quickly fell flat when I discovered that he was as in the dark about the whole thing as I was.

My only relief all weekend was when my phone dinged on Saturday night and I found Ant’s name staring back at me.

He might have told me Monday night that he wanted me, that he couldn’t get me out of his head, but we both know that the most sensible thing to do is to put an end to whatever was between us before anyone else finds out. Daemon knowing is bad enough. But if my dad or Ant’s uncle find out, then there’s every chance one of us would end up six feet under. Maybe even both of us, if we’re really unlucky.

At two minutes before midday, I throw my bag over my shoulder, hoping I’ve packed everything I might need for our mystery trip, and head upstairs.

Mum is lying on her chaise in front of the French doors that look out over the garden, reading some interior design magazine, probably planning a makeover on a room that really doesn’t need any work.

“I’m going away with Stella and Emmie for a few days.”

“I know,” she says without looking up from her magazine. “Have fun. Stay safe.”

My brows pinch at her lack of care or effort.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I mutter, barely loud enough for her to hear me. “It’s not like I was planning on being unsafe anytime soon.”

I’m still rolling my eyes as I pull the front door open and find Stella pulling up in her matte black Porsche.

“You ready for a road trip?” she calls from her window as I jog down the stairs.

Am I ready for going anywhere with my girls and getting away from reality for a few days? Hell freaking yes, I am.

The second I throw my bag in the boot and hear more female voices from inside, my stomach knots.

“Hey,” both Jodie and Brianna say excitedly from inside.

“What’s this, the jolly girls’ outing?” I ask with a smirk, my pulse thundering when my eyes lock with Brianna’s knowing ones.

“The boys are meeting us there. We just thought it would be fun to have a bit of girl time.”

I swallow nervously, slipping into the back seat beside Bri.

“Yeah, sounds good. We’re getting food though, right? I’m starving.”

Stella and Emmie laugh. “Would it even be a road trip without food?”

“I guess not,” I mutter as she spins the car around and heads back out to the road. “So are you going to fill me in on the details yet?”

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up. We have no idea either,” Jodie says with a laugh.

“It’s good to see you, Jodie,” I say sincerely, looking around her best friend. “How are you feeling?” She smiles brightly at me, but I don’t miss the darkness of her suffering flicker through her eyes.

“I’m good. Really good, actually. I’ve moved in with Toby,” she blurts, focusing on the good aspects of her life, as if hearing it is going to be a shock.