Page 26 of Sweeter than Honey

I have the upper hand, and my fangs come out all of the way eagerly. Lexi shrieks, and puts her hands up to shield her face and neck.

“Renata, no biting,” Celine says sternly from the table.

I snarl one more time at Lexi, then I let her go. She scrambles back to her overturned chair, picking it up to sit back at the table. My fangs are still elongated over my bottom lips.

“You think that just becauseyou’rethe oldest, you get to make the rules,” I say angrily to Celine, my voice thick.

“Iamthe oldest, so I get to make the rules,” Celine replies curtly.

I huff, but I know I can’t argue with her.

My phone buzzes. It’s Lily.

I’m so sorry, Ms. Espina. I know you’re very busy, but there’s been a disruption on the holding floor. Typically Damien would take care of it, but he’s teaching tonight, and Xia has already gone home.

“Is everything ok?” Hallie asks.

“Everything will be fine,” I snap, looking at Celine. “You stay here and finish the dinner. I’ll take care of this, just like I take care ofeverything.” I nod at Hallie and Lilith, who is watching us with a fascinated expression. “It was good to see you Hallie, and a pleasure to meet you, Lilith.”

Without another word, I leave the dining room.

To tell the truth, I’m glad Lily interrupted our dinner. I couldn’t stand another moment in the presence of my sisters. I thought that Tudor being captured would bring us closer, but it’s as though Celine is becoming more and more like him. She thinks she can control me. And Lexi’s become even more spoiled and entitled. All of her ridiculous schemes just create more work for me. Doesn’t she realize that her entire lifestyle is because of the hard work thatIdo?

I smooth the folds of my pantsuit, glad that the fight didn’t drawany blood so I won’t need to change. I check my face for unhealed marks, but my skin is smooth.

I text Lily that I’ll meet her on the office floor.

Chapter 10: Fuck fuck fuck fuck

Lily

I fidget anxiously with my charm necklace as I wait by the left elevator. The right one’s doors open, and Mel steps out. She gives me a confused look when I don’t get in it.

“Aren’t you waiting for the elevator?” she asks.

“No, I’m waiting for…” I begin, but then the left elevator chimes and the doors open.

Renata is standing in the elevator car, looking perfect as always. She beckons me with a curt nod.

I give Mel an awkward wave before entering the elevator beside Renata. As always, I feel my anxiety rise as the doors shut.

“Are you…all right?” Renata asks. My chest flutters a little when I remember what she said to me before. That she could hear my heartbeat.

“Yes, I just get a little claustrophobic,” I explain. “Elevators always get to me.”

She nods, and crosses her arms. She seems a little distracted, even more than usual. I hope she’s not still upset with me.

“Ms. Espina, I just wanted to say again how sorry I am,” I tell her. “About bringing my son to work. I should never have…”

“No need for further apologies, Lily,” she mutters, without making eye contact with me.

There’s a dense silence between us. I curse myself for being so stupid and bringing Eli in. I’ve worked so hard to develop a goodreputation here, and now she thinks I’m unprofessional. I should have realized that she expects more from me.

I watch her out of the corner of my eye. The proud tilt of her jaw, her air of complete confidence. She had told me that she appreciated everything I did. That the hotel couldn’t function without me. And I totallyruinedit.

Classic Lily, I guess.

The doors chime open on the holding floor. I shiver. It’s dark up here. There’s a security panel on the side of the wall by the elevators. Renata quickly steps out of the elevator and presses her fingerprint up against it. She has to do this within one minute of entering the floor, or else it will trigger an alarm throughout the hotel. The holding floor is a nice name for a…a jail, I guess. There are secure rooms along this floor for putting anyone who threatens the safety of the hotel. I used to think it was for badly-behaved guests or people who tried to cheat the casino, but when I learned more about Tudor Thornblade and his daughters, I realized it’s a bit more complicated than that.