Maybe something good will come out of this marriage.

Maybe I can save my little sister.

Even if I have to sleep with a monster to do it.

I’m so wrapped up in the swimming that I don’t even register the two people beside James. I swim another lap, then another before I hear a woman laugh, and then Abel hissing my name.

I stop when I get to the deep end of the pool only because Abel reaches down to grab my hand and keep me there.

Abel claims not to like swimming. I’m pretty sure he can’t do it. If you ask me, he’s afraid of the water. But he’d never admit to either of those things because both would be considered weaknesses. So instead of pulling away, I grip his hand just as hard, my eyes locked on his.

If I pulled him in, would he drown?

Would I save him? Or would I hold him under, maybe? It’s an entertaining thought.

I tug.

“Let go, Ivy,” he hisses and glances at the woman.

I follow his gaze and see why he’s trying to be the big man here. She’s beautiful. I’ve never seen her before and have no idea who she is, but she is striking. And about a thousand times out of Abel’s league.

“Mercedes De La Rosa has come to prepare you for her brother.”

The woman walks over and stops at the edge of the pool even while I’m still processing the way Abel just said that.

I let go of Abel, and he straightens, wiping water off his suit and apologizing to her. Looking ridiculous as he kisses her ass.

He wants her. It’s so obvious.

It’s also obvious she wouldn’t let him lick the bottom of her snakeskin Jimmy Choos.

She only has eyes for me anyway. She’s staring so intently all I can do is hold her gaze. “Hello, Ivy,” she says, her tone haughty, her smile the opposite of warm.

I know instantly she and I will not be friends.

10

Santiago

Sacred Trinity Cathedral is in the Garden District of New Orleans, less than a mile from the IVI compound. Though The Society has a chapel on their grounds, this church is one of many under our control. Weddings and baptisms are often held in this space because it is large enough to accommodate the local members of our faction. But this evening, there will be only fifteen of the upper-echelon members here to witness the ceremony, along with Ivy’s brother. As for my side, I will be the only De La Rosa present.