“Which will make you a good queen.”
Sonny offered me his arm, and I latched onto him as we moved throughout the ballroom.
“My mom and Arlo were high school sweethearts,” I said as he led me through the crowd. “But what’s the real story? My grandfather doesn’t tell me much, and my parents don’t even speak to me.”
“Until your mom ran away, the Salvatores were finally going to get their wish. To marry into one of the founding families.”
I shot him a bewildered look. “The Salvatores founded Devil’s Creek.”
He shook his head, and blond hair fell into his eyes. “Not the founders of Devil’s Creek. The Salvatores didn’t move to the United States until over a hundred years after the Founding Fathers ratified the Thirteen Colonies.”
“Oh, you mean those Founders.”
He nodded. “Yes, your ancestors.”
I never acknowledged my family’s heritage because it never mattered to me. My bloodline had nothing to do with me as a person. Being related to someone famous only made my life harder. People considered the Wellingtons' American royalty.
“When your mom ditched Arlo,” he continued, “she embarrassed the Salvatores. The news of your mom’s betrayal rocked the town. It made Arlo look weak like he couldn’t hold on to his woman. People started rebelling against the Salvatores. But your grandfather did his part and took care of the backlash.”
“I hate politics,” I groaned. “And all the bullshit in this town.”
“If you want out, there are ways to leave Devil’s Creek… if you know the right people.”
“And you’re the right person?”
He gave me one of his golden boy smiles and winked. “I have my ways.”
“No, I have to marry Luca.”
My voice sounded confident when I felt the complete opposite on the inside. A marriage to Luca only benefited him. What the hell was I getting from the deal? That part was never clear. Not even Pops could explain it in any way that made sense to me.
“You’re a tough girl,” Sonny commented as he surveyed the room. “Most people would crack in your position. Your mom did.”
“Good thing I’m not most people.”
Kali Marx waved as she approached us. “Hey, I’m Kali. You must be Alexandrea. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Call me Alex.” I extended my hand for her to shake. “Nice to meet you.”
Kali wrapped her fingers around Sonny’s bicep and peeked up at him. “I’m sure this one has told you a few things.”
“You saying I’m the town gossip?” Sonny held his hand over his heart and sighed. “You wound me, Kali from Cali.”
Kali rolled her eyes. “I think I’ve lived here long enough that you can drop from Cali.”
Sonny slid his arm behind Kali’s back, pulling her close to his side. “You’ll always be an outsider. But that’s okay. We still love you.”
“Founders are such snobs,” she cooed.
He pointed his finger at his chest. “Not this one.”
“That’s debatable,” I interjected. “You asked me to take a ride on your yacht.”
“Maybe I wasn’t talking about my boat,” he quipped.
The three of us roared into a fit of laughter. For the first time since I’d moved to Devil’s Creek, I was having a good time. Around Sonny, I could be myself while discovering the truth about my family and this town.
The Salvatores shot daggers at us from across the room.
The hell with them.
“Do you have plans this week?” Kali asked me. “We should grab lunch at Blue Moon Cafe.”
“Sure, I’d love that.”
“I love the chili fries at Blue Moon,” Sonny said, licking his lips. “I’m coming with you, pretty ladies.”
“No, you’re not.” Kali objected. “This is a girl’s lunch.”
“Fine, have your girl’s lunch.” He stuck out his tongue at her, and she laughed. “But next time, we’re getting takeout and eating it at the marina. On my yacht.”
“Deal.” She smiled at Sonny, then turned to me. “How does Wednesday sound?”
I glanced across the room at Luca, who was already staring at me. No shocker there. Whenever we were in the same room, his eyes followed me.
Stalker.
“Can you ask my keepers if I have plans for Wednesday?”
Sonny muttered okay, then slipped through the crowd.
“How’s it going?” Kali leaned into me, keeping her voice low. “Are they treating you okay?”
“Yeah,” I lied. “The Salvatores have been very welcoming.”
She gave me a look that said she knew I was lying because she probably did enough of her own. “They’re controlling, huh?”
Before I could answer her question, Sonny appeared at my side. “Noon on Wednesday.”
“Great.” Kali grinned. “I have to mingle, or my dad will give me shit. Come find me later.”
Then she walked away.
“You look like you could use another drink,” Sonny said as he swiped two champagne glasses from a server’s tray, handing one to me.
“You read minds now?”
“I read faces,” he countered. “Don’t worry. This will all be over soon. Just smile and look interested. Everyone is watching you.”
He was right.