Page 59 of Final Installment

“I’d put my money on life beating it right out of her.”Skender regarded her with interest.“I know it nearly did the same to me.”

“Skender.”I grasped his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I know.”He offered a lopsided smile before letting go.“Let’s not get maudlin.”

Too late,I thought grimly as I caught sight of Luka.Apparently, he didn’t want to let any of us out of his sight until the wedding vows were spoken and the marriage was sealed.I suppose he wasn’t worried about the bad luck of seeing his bride before the wedding.

Even now, Luka looked full of self-pity, and Dafina moped next to him, looking like she might burst into tears at any moment.

I hate him.

Luka with his stupid face and his stupid eyes and his stupid suit.Just looking at him made me feel sick.

Discomfited.

Fidgety.

Hot.

So what if he was the most handsome man I had ever seen?And, sure, maybe he did have incredible hands that I couldn’t stop looking at every time he was near.

But he was a monster.

He was a killer.

And I hated him.Really.

“What do you think about all of her friends bailing?And she doesn’t even seem to care.”

“I know.That’s what worries me,” I whispered, trying not to call attention to our conversation.“It’s as if she expected no one to come.”

“Maybe she warned them to stay away.”

Boldly, I asked, “Is that why you didn’t bring Lia with you?”

His head sharply turned toward me.He seemed taken aback by the question and maybe even a bit nervous.“She’s busy, and this isn’t the way I want her to meet our family.”

“I can understand that.”I could, but it didn’t stop me from wondering if there was something else going on with this girlfriend I had never met or seen.Was she even real?Or was it something else he was hiding?

Speaking of...

“Skender, that business plan you sent me,” I said carefully, stepping closer and keeping my voice low.“Are you working on that idea alone?”

His brow furrowed.“Why would that matter?Does it change any of the material facts of the property?”

“No, but—.”

“What are you two plotting?”Zec startled us by suddenly appearing behind us like a predator swooping down to snatch its prey.

Not wanting him to ask questions, I played it cool and rolled my eyes at his dramatics.“Yes, we’re plotting your death right now.We’re trying to decide between poisoning the soup course or serving an exploding cake at dessert.”

“Elona!”Skender hissed.

“What?I’m tired of them constantly accusing us of trying to kill them when they’re the ones who wiped out our entire family, held you hostage and exiled us.”Irritated by the whole mess, I tugged my brother across the room, leaving Zec to glare at us.

As we drew near Luka and Dafina, I noticed he looked as looked as if he hadn’t slept in days.He grimaced and absentmindedly rubbed at his chest.Was his stomach bothering him again?Maybe he had an ulcer?

Who cares?I silently chastised.He’s an asshole, remember?