Page 146 of Vicious Little Snakes

Babe laughs at something Tabitha says, and I smile, as does my father. Doting as always. Even Van pinch hits, asking a question about the ball, smiling at Caroline.

“A live orchestra. Wow, that’s classic elegance,” Van’s raspy voice offers as Grey looks at her like she’s lost it.

But one look from her has him back on track. This time I laugh and make a whip gesture at him. To which he scratches his brow with his middle finger.

Caroline’s hand lands on my thigh, so I look at her as she smiles up at me. “Thank you for this. I loves you a lot.”

It’s the silliest, most ridiculous way to say I love you. But it’s ours, and the fact that she does it unabashedly makes her mine.

Tabitha sets her fork down, lifting the napkin politely to the corner of her mouth.

“I have to say”—all eyes on her—“I’m thrilled you invited me here today. Seeing Caroline’s choice of escort with his family, so grounded and exemplary, brings ease to my thoughts.”

Give me a fucking break.

Tabitha looks to my mother and father. “I’m sure you can understand my hesitation. The hand of a debutante is only for the most outstanding of young gentlemen. And now that the situation has been taken care of—”

Insert swept under the rug. Or never made the papers.

“—and I’ve met with you.”

Insert I want on your short list of acquaintances, so I can ask for donations.

“—I believe we can proceed as usual.”

Babe and Tucker smile, but I know they’re irritated. Tabitha basically called me a reformed piece of shit. But it’s okay. I don’t give a shit what she thinks about me. If this gets Caroline her peace of mind, then so fucking be it.

It occurs to me nobody is speaking as Van locks eyes with me from across the table, darting them to Caroline and then back to me.

What the fuck?

I glance at Caroline and back to Van, who jerks her head again, so I draw my brows together, shrugging with a slight lift of my hands. What the hell is Van doing?

Grey clears his throat, answering my shrug, a shit-eating grin on his face, “Daggers are shooting fromthatCarebear.”

My head swings to Caroline, who’s tapping her finger against the silver knife, and staring narrow-eyed at the chairwoman.Shit.

“What are you doing?” I whisper discreetly, but she doesn’t answer, so I press, “It’s not worth losing what you worked for. It’s fine.”

Caroline’s hand presses against my chest to move me back against my chair, giving direct sight of her target.

Van’s laugh’s quieted by her hand as she turns her head. Fuck. This is about to become a fully engaged war zone.

“Excuse me. Tabitha,” Caroline hisses, and I know we’re fucked.

The chairwoman turns to stare at her, surprised at hearing her first name. My father starts to interrupt, feeling the shit about to hit the fan, but my mother pats his hand, never taking her eyes off Tabitha.

“I’m curious,” Caroline continues. “What about Liam made him less than outstanding? I’d love for you to explain. And be specific.”

Again my father clears his throat, but Grey and I both shake our heads, with Grey adding, “Tucker, we just sit here and look pretty.”

This isn’t the kind of party the boys are invited to. It’s too mean for us.

Tabitha looks flustered, glancing at me and then my parents before shifting in her seat to face Caroline.

Jesus.

Caroline’s fingers curl around the handle of the knife, so I place mine over hers, biting the inside of my cheek so that I don’t smile. I know my baby, and she’s already imagined the woodchipper.