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“Why are you smiling?” Rose snaps at me. My mouth flattens. “Because I think my girlfriend’s baby pictures are cute.” Jane brightens like radiant sunlight.
“Murder with the Cobalt fam,” Donnelly says through a mouthful of cheesecake. “Those who slay together, stay together.”
Comms crackle, the signal distant. “Donnelly to SFO, I found the space babe.”
But I’d treat Jane like she should be treated. She’s my princess, my angel, and my queen. Every morning and every night.
In the darkened corner of the pub, Luna Hale is dirty-dancing with Donnelly. The kind of sloppy dancing you’d see at closing times from trashed guys and girls. But her and him—they’re completely sober.
“Women are better than men. Better fighters, better lovers—and the fact that you come from where I do and can say and believe shit that demeans women makes me sick.”
I wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for a twelve-year-old girl who left Italy with no one and came to America with nothing. Brave. Bold. Strong women rule my world, and I love them.
Aunt Daisy has taught me to use my voice, even if the world says stay quiet. Aunt Lily has taught me fierce courage, even on days when you feel lesser than. And Rose Calloway Cobalt, my mom—she’s taught me how to walk into a room full of men and never back down.
“I don’t need a career to be a smart woman.” I go on. “I don’t need a job to be talented. I am both smart and possess talent, and the love that I give is just as important as the fashion empire my mom built. I am enough just as I am.”
“People do stupid things when they’re in love,” Charlie says, but it’s not in disdain. It’s warm, heartfelt and he looks at me like he’s acknowledging that I am stupid-in-love with his sister. And fuck it, that’s the best outcome there is.
“I thought he could be worse than a burglar. I thought he could do something as sickening and heinous as what he did—but knowing for certain feels…” She chokes on a sob. “It feels like…my skin is crawling and it will never stop.” Her hands fall, and I kneel and pull her into my chest.
Truth: 9 times out of 10, Uncle Loren will find a way to either pull Lily away or become a part of the PJ party. He might also be the biggest gossip queen of us all, so I don’t even mind the addition.
“I need you. I need you like the air I breathe, and I want you like ground beneath my feet. I’m not afraid—I’m not afraid, not even a little. You are the man who has respected all of who I am and protected every little piece of me.”
“I love you, I love you, I love you.” It pours out of me. “Je’taime, je’taime, je’taime.” He’s already clasping my face, and I’m in his arms, legs wrapped around his waist. Our foreheads nearly press together, and his lips skim over my lips. “Jane.” My name is cast in love.
I don’t understand what he’s doing until he drops down to one knee. And he unpockets a paperclip, twisting the metal between his fingers into a little ring,
And I’m just gone. Right here. Right now. “Jane?” I ask like a fucking idiot. Banks would be laughing his ass off if he saw me. She keeps nuzzling my hand. I draw in a deeper, stronger breath. It’s her. No one can tell me otherwise. “Fuck it.” I gently pick up the kitten. “Let’s go to dinner, Little Jane.”
If my life means anything, let it mean this: I tried with my whole soul to protect the ones who couldn’t protect themselves, and I loved while I was here. I will always love my brother. And Jane—I will always, always love Jane. Death can’t take that from me.
We’ve all joined Kitsuwon Securities in a matter of minutes. No one hesitates.
