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I chuckled Free anything didn’t have ether Theopen the music from the band blared Parker and I had been friends since ere kids We grew up in the organization Each of us the first-born son, poised to take over one day Our families were allies Always a plus

“Bar’s this way I’ll be right back” I lost Parker when he disappeared in the crowd

I strolled past the guests, looking for an easy exit The fewer the people, the better That was i

“Knight, you made it!” Suddenly a blur of white hurdled toward led past an older couple and threw herself at my chest

“This is some party” I peeled her off me Her blue eyes flickered She looked terrified The way she looked when I had once dared her to touch the drain in the deep end of the pool She was only five then

Seraphina tugged onme to an empty hallway

“What’s going on?” I asked “Aren’t you having a good time?”

“Are you still s?” She scrunched her petite nose “I can smell it on you”

I groaned “I’arettes”

“It’s gross You should stop And if Mother knew—””

I exhaled “What do you need? Did someone drop a platter of hors d’oeuvres?”

“No,” she snapped “I don’t care about the stupid food It’s this It’s Brandon and his parents I don’t know if I can go through with this” She picked at her nails “It’s too much This family is crazy I don’t want to be a part of it”

“All families are crazy You think ours is any better?” My hands landed on her shoulders “What about Brandon? You two seeood fit”

Her long lashes fluttered until her eyes closed I could tell she was trying not to cry

“He’s no different than his parents,” she whispered “Can’t you help ht You have to do so Get me out of this”