Page 23 of Knotty Bargain (Monster Holidays #3)

CHAPTER 23

CORDELIA

2 Vivian’s shrill voice pierces the air. “Thanks for coming, guys.” She kisses the air next to Miranda’s cheeks, then Cordelia’s. She gives me a once-over. “Hi, Levi..” She props her hands onto her waist. “How do I look?”

What am I supposed to answer in these situations? “White.”

Vivian laughs too loud. “You’re so funny. I get what Cordelia sees in you.”

Cordelia and I exchange a glance. Weird. Vivian’s been treating me like shit since we met. What changed?

“And Lia!” She smiles sweetly—too sweetly—at Cordelia. “This dress is so unique. It really highlights your curves. You’re so brave to wear it.”

My humor sours. There it is. Back-handed compliments. How can this woman be such a coward? How can she invite her own cousin to her wedding, then treat her like this?

I don’t know if I’m angry or just pitying her. What a sad existence.

Vivian goes on, because of course she would. “You know, you didn’t have to bring Levi over.” She grins, leaning forward and cupping the side of her mouth as if telling a secret. “I know you and Levi are not really dating.”

Cordelia chuckles. “What? What do you mean?”

Vivian waves Cordelia off. “I overheard you two talking in the park—about pretending !” Vivian chuckles. “Of course you were talking about your relationship. Your pretend relationship. I was going to meet Marcus there. He said he had just seen you and I told him,” she pulls Marcus closer, “remember, baby? I told you, oh, they’re fake dating! There’s no way a guy like Levi would date Cordelia. They’re just too different.”

Murmurs ripple through the crowd. Stunned faces turn toward Cordelia, whose cheeks flame crimson. She shrinks into herself, her hands curling into fists.

A volcano roars inside me.

“Vivian, surely you misheard...” Miranda laughs nervously, trying to smooth things over. But Vivian steamrolls on.

“Oh, please, he’s way out of her league. I always knew it!” Her green eyes glitter. “Marcus, shush!” She swats at her new husband as he attempts to quiet her. “I’m helping her. I’m just saying she doesn’t have to lie anymore.” And under her breath, she adds, “That reeks of desperation. Not very elegant, is it?”

White-hot rage sears through me. My fists clench as I stalk forward, towering over Vivian. “You’re one to talk about desperation,” I snarl. “Shading your own cousin at your wedding? When she came here just for it? How insecure can you get?”

Marcus jumps in, jabbing a finger at my chest. “Stay out of it. I knew you were using Cordelia. I don’t even know what you’re still doing here.”

I bare my teeth, relishing how he flinches back. Oh, the things I’d do to this fucker. He’s the one who started this whole shit. He cheated on Cordelia. He hurt her even if she didn’t love him. This fucker is one of the many who broke her trust.

“Enough!” Cordelia’s voice cracks like a whip. Angry tears glitter in her blue eyes. “I don’t even know why I came. Family ,” she spits. “Blood family means nothing if there’s no love. None of you were there for us when Dad left Mom. None of you gave a shit whenMom died and I was alone.”Her voice breaks. “Miranda and Sylvia are the only real family I have. But still, I tried to meet your expectations. Even though you’ve never liked me.” Cordelia’s shoulder square and her eyes glitter and fuck—am I more attracted to her than before?“Vivian, you shouldn’t need to put others down just to feel good about yourself,” Cordelia says, her voice trembling. She turns to Marcus, blue eyes flashing. “And you’re nothing but a cheater. And Vivian knows that. That’s why she’s so insecure. Because she knows that once a cheater, always a cheater.”A bitter laugh escapes her. “I never should’ve forced myself to come here, to pretend, just because of you two. You don’t deserve it.”

Vivian’s eyes go huge. Her face goes ashen, then crumples. Tears streak down her cheeks. “You’ve ruined everything!” she wails, jabbing a finger at Cordelia. “You’ve ruined my wedding!”

Marcus’s face flushes an ugly red. He rounds on me, meaty fists clenched. “You bastard,” he snarls, taking a step forward. “I’ll teach you to mess with my family!”

Cold fury crystallizes in my chest. I draw myself up to my full height, my presence expanding to fill the room. The air thickens, crackling with dark energy.

“Try,” I hiss between my teeth.

Marcus’s eyes widen. He staggers back, knees buckling. His mouth opens and closes soundlessly as he sinks to the floor in front of me. My ears pop with the change in pressure. I let my magic seep out of me. I let him feel who he’s dealing with.

“Apologize.” My voice is low, dangerous. “Now.”

“I-I’m sorry!” he babbles, his gaze flicking to Cordelia. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean?—”

“Levi, stop!” Cordelia cries out. “Please, just stop.”

I turn to her, the darkness dissipating. My heart stutters in my chest.

Tears stream down her freckled cheeks, her blue eyes wide and glassy. A choked sob bursts out of her, and then she’s running, her dark blue dress fluttering as she disappears out the door.

Shame, hot and cloying, rises in my throat. What have I done?

Cordelia’s right. We’re too different. We’re too different because this is who I am. A monster. I should have known better than to think I could ever be a part of her world.

I’m a fool. And now I’ve lost her.

The crowd parts to one side. Sylvia barges toward us. She glances at Cordelia, running, then at Vivian, bawling.

Sylvia kicks her heels out and pounces on Vivian.