CHAPTER 2

JFK was a blur of private lounge and champagne that Tamsin didn't drink.

Teal slept for most of the 7-hour flight. Or pretended to. Tamsin stared at the map as their plane crossed the ocean.

New York. 3,582 miles away.

She thought about Trinity high. About Jordan and his "I'm sorry" that stopped coming. About Judith's silence that hurt more than any fight. 

She thought about her dad.

The landing was rough. Tamsin's stomach flipped.

                         ★

The seatbelt sign dinged off. People clapped and hugged. Strangers turned into family in seconds.

Tamsin didn't.

She stared at the screen. Arrival: Madrid.

The word looked too final. 

3,582 miles from everything she knew.

Her chest felt empty, like someone had left it in the overhead bin. 

Teal squeezed her hand. "We're here, baby. Madrid sure is beautiful. I think we'll love it here." Her smile was too bright. Like she was trying to convince herself this wasn't good bye to their old life.

Tamsin nodded and followed her off the plane. Her legs felt weak.

First class meant no lines. No waiting. Just privilege moving them forward while she felt stuck.

A driver in a black suit held up a sign: SRA & STRA DAWSON.

"Bienvenidos a Madrid," he said taking their bags. "Señor Bruno is waiting."

The airport smelled like coffee, oranges and jet fuel. Signs everywhere in Spanish. Tamsin felt lost.

Then she saw him.

Dacio Bruno.

6'4 in navy suit. Broad shoulders. Dark hair with silver at the temples. He looked expensive and unapproachable, with white lilies in his hand. He looked like he had been waiting.

The moment he saw Teal, his whole expression changed. He crossed the distance in three long strides and pulled her into a hug.

"Teal," he murmured. "You made it."

Tamsin stood with her carry-on, counting. "One... Two.... Three."

Dacio finally looked at her. His smile turned careful.

"Tamsin," he said. "You look just like Alaric."

She rolled her eyes. Of course she did. She had his nose. His eyes. His stare.

"The car's outside," Dacio said smiling. "Hugo's home today. He rarely goes to IE these days."

Hugo. The supposed step brother.

Tamsin only nodded. If she spoke, she might say something she couldn't take back. Like how eight months ago she had a dad, and now she was about to live with strangers.

                               ★

The black Mercedes was silent. Madrid passed by. Stone buildings. People. Scooters.

Dacio talked to Teal the whole ride. About his company. The house. The orange tree in the courtyard. He laughed too loud and touched Teal's lap once.

Every few minutes, he glanced at Tamsin through the mirror. Checking.

She stared out the window and gave him nothing.

"Are you okay, Tammy? Jet lag?" Teal asked.

"I'm fine."

The lie tasted bitter.

                               ★

A tall black gate opened revealing the house.

It was massive. Cream stucco with ivy. The courtyard with the peculiar orange tree. Bigger than their Manhattan penthouse. Beautiful and cold, like a magazine cover.

Inside the ceilings were high. Arts on the wall worth millions. Marble floors. A kitchen that looked it was from a rich TV show.

And at the top of the stairs.

Hugo. Dacio. Bruno.

23. Tall. Black T-shirt and sweatpants. Dark hair over his forehead. The kind of handsome that was dangerous. He wasn't smiling or frowning. Just looking down at them like they were nothing.

"Hugo darling," Teal said smiling. "Come say hi to me and your sister."

Dacio smiled too, but it looked forced. "Hugo this is Tamsin."

Before Tamsin could speak, Hugo turned and walked back to his room. No wave. No word.

Anger flared in her chest. That was worst than any insult.

"He's shy," Dacio said quickly, too loud. "Come eat. The chef made your favourite, Teal."

Tamsin pushed food around her plate. She wasn't hungry.

After lunch, Dacio stood. "I'll show you to your rooms. Tamsin yours is upstairs. Hugo's is right across the hall."

Teal squeezed her arm. "Go say hi to Hugo, okay? Just to be nice?"

"I'm not going."

"Tammy---"

"I said no." Tamsin said angrily.

"It's okay," Dacio interrupted. "You must be tired. Rest."

                            ★

The room was huge and pink. Pink sheets. Pink railings on the balcony. A desk and a lamp. It smelled like laundry and not a home. 

"Pink," Tamsin scoffed. "Who said every girl likes pink."

She missed Manhattan. Her old desk with J+T carved into it.

Her phone buzzed. Unknown number. She ignored it.

Downstairs, Dacio's voice floated up. "Teal, the study's this way."

Tamsin stepped onto the balcony. Terracotta roofs for miles. A sky that was too blue.

Eight months ago her dad was alive.

Today she had a new dad and a brother she didn't understand.

Across the hall, Hugo's door was closed. Music playing low.

"Tammy baby!" Teal called. "Can you ask Hugo to come down for tea?"

Tamsin's jaw tightened. "No!"

"Please just for me?"

Dacio added gently. "It would mean a lot to us."

Tamsin sighed Angrily but still made her way to his room.

                               ★

She knocked. Hard. Three times.

No answer.

She knocked again.

Nothing.

On the third knock, the door ripped open.

Hugo. Shirtless. In gym shorts. Sweat on his skin. Hair messy. Blue eyes sharp. He looked like she'd interrupted his workout.

The second their eyes met, something sparked. Hot. Uncomfortable. 

Hugo scanned her from head to toe, scowling

"What do you want?" He said, voice low.

"I didn't want to come here either," Tamsin shot back. "But your dad and and my mom want you downstairs for tea."

"Are you a puppet? Couldn't you say no? Don't come her again."

"I'm not staying either rude jerk." She said sticking out her tongue.

"Good."

They stared. That same annoying spark between them. Both pretending it wasn't there. 

"Are you done," Tamsin asked after some minutes.

He didn't reply.

"This is ridiculous," she turned to leave.

"Wait," Hugo Said.

"What?"

"Next time you knock, don't expect me to answer."

Tamsin smirked. "There won't be a next time. I can't stand you either."

She turned, walked into her room and slammed the door.

Across the hall, she heard his slam too.

Hard.