Chapter 3

I paused mid-motion, then let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh.

That day on Fifth Avenue, I'd just walked across the street to grab a coffee—ten minutes, tops. By the time I got back to where we'd been, they were gone.

So while I was stumbling around like a headless chicken, dodging God knows what kind of deadly trouble, they were busy picking out haute couture with Seraphina.

No wonder none of my calls got answered.

Gabriel's thumb froze over the screen. It hit him too—I could see it in the flicker of rare awkwardness crossing his face.

"Oh... I got it wrong. You weren't there."

He cleared his throat.

"I was gonna call you, but that place only sells gowns. You're always mixed up in gang stuff and never wear dresses, so I figured it wasn't worth dragging you in."

I said nothing. Just stared at him.

He reached over, a little stiffly, to ruffle my hair—I turned my head and let his hand hit empty air.

"Mad?" He forced a smile, his tone half-soothing, half-dismissive. "I'll take you to a private atelier in Paris sometime, get you two custom pieces. Deal?"

Maybe because I'd stayed silent in the group chat too long, Seraphina FaceTimed me directly. I ignored it. Gabriel answered and slid the encrypted tablet in front of me.

"Leah, why haven't you picked yet?" On screen, Seraphina tossed her hair back. "Is it really that hard to decide?"

Gabriel leaned in, voice low beside me.

"Just pick one—any one. Or she'll spend all night thinking you're still hung up on yesterday, and none of us will get any sleep."

I laughed—and did the exact opposite.

"They both look great on her. You decide."

Seraphina whined on the other end, calling me half-hearted and brushing her off.

But when we met at the luxury cruise terminal the next day, she was wearing the navy blue backless gown Lucas had picked.

She chose Lucas.

For a split second, something dim flickered in Gabriel's eyes. Barely noticeable. But it was there.

Seraphina sent both of them off to the VIP security lane—to pick up the car and get the premium passes. Then she looped her arm through mine, all cozy, and slowed us down to stroll behind.

"I knew you wouldn't really hold it against me. We're the closest sisters in the Carone estate, after all!"

I just curved my lips. Didn't take the bait.

The bulletproof panoramic Ferris wheel on the cruise's top deck was the main event. Tourists and high-rollers alike were queued up for the VIP cabins.

We finally made it to the front—and then Lucas and Gabriel started fighting right at the security gate.

Lucas straightened his tie, voice cold. "Gabriel, you're Leah's brother on paper. You should ride with her."

Gabriel shot back with a sneer. "Seraphina's wearing the dress you picked today. By that logic, she should be in my cabin."

Behind us in line, a few casino big shots and socialites were getting impatient. The head of security stepped in:

"Gentlemen, there are VIPs waiting behind you. Maybe take this to the lounge and sort it out first?"

A woman huffed: "Jesus, the cabins are big enough. Why don't all three of you just go in together? What's there to fight over?"

They both turned to her at the same time.

"Quiet. There's no way I'm sharing a cabin with him."

Unfortunately for them, they ended up all three crammed into the same main cabin anyway.

The logic? The main cabin needed enough manpower to handle a potential ambush. A single rider in the secondary cabin would be safer and roomier.

So Gabriel and Lucas, in perfect sync, handed that so-called "safe and private" slot to me.

The cabin rose slowly. Seraphina pressed herself against the bulletproof glass, peering down at my smaller compartment below.

"Lucky you—getting the best view all to yourself. I'm stuck between those two idiots."

Behind me in line, a West Coast type girl with gum and attitude said—loud:

"Gross. Didn't think a place this classy would have a pick-me girl. Guess this isn't making my top 10 favorite spots."

I turned on instinct and glanced back at her.

She caught my eye, pulled off her shades with a sheepish grimace, and gave me a little eyebrow raise.

"Sorry, babe—wasn't trying to eavesdrop. But that little performance she just put on? Painful. Hope I didn't kill your vibe."