Page 100 of Unclaimed Bonds

I stare at Sodi. His eyes narrow, and head tilts. His breathing is even, heartbeat steady. He’s not lying or covering for Liam. He’s studying me. “You think I attacked Jessica?”

He doesn’t deny it, and his eye contact never wavers. “We think if Elaine saw Jessica with Charlie and thought it was you, she could have attacked Jessica.”

Heat rises in my face. “And what exactly were Charlie and Jessica doing to stir up crazy notions in Elaine’s head?”

“I may not know your friend or her brother, but something isn’t right about those two. I’m sure if she simply saw the two of you standing next to each other, she would attack Jessica first and ask questions later.”

He’s not wrong—Elaine is crazy. We all witnessed firsthand how she can fly off the handle. Did Sodie just confirm what I overheard between them? “So, everyone knows about Jessica and Charlie, except for me?”

Sodie scrunches his face. “Don’t say it like that, man. It was supposed to be a surprise. Anyway, I healed Jessica, so the bruises are gone. I think we should keep a close eye on her tonight. She won’t tell us who attacked her. We can’t point the finger at Marcus or Dustin because they were locked in their rooms all night. Boris is back home. Darwin confirmed it through the airport surveillance. I haven’t spoken to the twins yet, and I’m not sure if she said anything to them.”

“If I hear anything, I will let you guys know.”

Satisfied with my answer, he squeezes my shoulder.

Everyone arrives moments before the ceremony. Jessica presents each of us with our guard rings and pins. When she reaches me in the line, fear glimmers in her eyes, and her hand tremble.

Who the hell attacked her? Why won’t she tell anyone? Was she really even attacked?

When the ceremony is over, we all migrate to the ballroom. “Luke! You look so handsome!” Elaine yells, waving frantically. She’s surrounded by her minions and Wills. I smile and allow them to hug me. Elaine attempts a kiss, but I turn my head. Her lips land on my cheek.

“Hey, man. You didn’t tell us yesterday that beauty is your sister.” Wills elbows me in the ribs, which are still tender.

“Nothing to tell. She’s not my sister. She’s adopted,” I reply.

Elaine whirls around. “Adopted? Isn’t she too old? I thought people adopt babies.”

I give Elaine a bored look. “Children can be adopted at different ages,” I answer, trying to stifle the impulse to roll my eyes. What an idiot.

She rests her hands on her hips. “What the hell does that mean?”

Wills grabs her arm. “Relax. Father is here. Don’t make a scene.” Wills grimaces before feigning a sincere apology. “She’s just feeling a little threatened. She’s convinced she saw you flirting with her last night.”

Last night? I recall my conversation with Sodie.

“No, I said she was flirting with him.” Elaine grumbles.

Cassie crosses her arms over her chest. “I thought you said you found Luke and were with him after I got kicked off the property?” Cassie questions Elaine.

Elaine smirks. “Jealous?”

I sigh and turn to leave. Enough of their bullshit. I’m not in the mood to correct her.

“Oh, baby, you left your phone behind.” Elaine holds up my phone. She walks over to me and places it in my hand.

I grab her wrist. “Where the hell did you find my phone?”

She arches her eyebrows and sneers, sending shivers up my spine. Then, smiling for her performance, she says, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about our secret spot.” She leans in closer. “I left you some pictures to remember me by.”

I release her and turn as Jessica and Emily pass us. Emily scrunches her nose and glares daggers at me.

I seize the opportunity to greet one of the guests. Confused as hell, I don’t have time to inquire about Jessica’s whereabouts for those missing hours.

As the night wears on, guilt eats away at me. At some point, I tell Sodie that Elaine returned my phone, insinuating I left itbehind after a secret hookup. He gives my phone to Darwin to check it out for spyware or a tracking device.

I avoid Wills and Elaine as much as possible. Cassie still guns for Liam, but he does a good job dodging her.

I find my father on the balcony, talking to someone. I haven’t seen him all day, on purpose, and I hate it. I leave tomorrow. Otherwise, all we have are phone calls to check in. I won’t be here.