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“Had. She died.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
“So how did you go from being Cordelia’s estranged granddaughter, to using her namesake and attending one of the most prestigious schools in the country?” Jax presses me with a scowl and I can see his impatience. He won’t let it go until he has all the answers he desires.
“Don’t freak out,” I warn them and watch as they quickly exchange glances. Some things never change. The familiarity of it almost makes me smile. Almost. I’m too anxious for that. “Growing up, my sister and I occasionally saw Cordelia, but it was mostly a long-distance relationship. Our parents claimed that they hated her world - the world of wealth and privilege I guess, although they certainly enjoyed the perks of it themselves - and had wanted to protect us. However Cordelia set trust funds aside for us and, probably to piss my mum off, made it so that we could access them early.”
“I don’t understand what that has to do with...”
“If you’d quit interrupting I’d tell you!” I snap. Chastised, Thorn drops his head. Rebel smirks at him and mutters something under his breath, but I let it slide.
“My sister used her money to attend a really good private school, wanting to get the best education she could. I didn’t. I don’t believe in paying for a perceived-to-be-better education. I find the idea abhorrent.” I pause to breathe and glower at Rebel who’s about to interrupt. “Yes, I know I paid for my education at West Prep. Shut up.” He smirks and my heart flip-flops. Damn.
“After my sister died, Cordelia encouraged me to follow in her footsteps and attend West Prep...so I did.” I finish lamely. Once again they explode with questions.
“Why?”
“Wait, did your sister go to West Prep too? Or did your grandmother just want you to go to any private school?”
“Why did you give in so easily?”
“Is that it?” Jax scoffs. “Because there are really big holes in that story and you still didn’t tell us who you are.” He scowls at me.
“My sister went to West Prep, specifically, so I chose there too. I’ll get to explaining why in just a moment.”
I take a huge fortifying breath, knowing that when I release it the shit will well and truly hit the fan.
“My real name is Charlotte Raven...Mclintock.”
As expected, instant recognition dawns on Jax’s face. Ace’s too, a moment later. Rebel and Thorn look confused, scratching their heads muttering “Mclintock...Mclintock...?” under their breath like they’re trying to place the name.
“Lizzie.” Jax supplies for them in a flat tone and their regard snaps to me in total disbelief. I can see the shocked question in their eyes and when I give an almost imperceptible nod to confirm it, they slump forward in defeat.
“What the actual...” Thorn starts.
“Fuuuuuuuuck!” Rebel finishes.
I say nothing, letting the revelation sink in for a moment.
“Explain.” Jax’s voice is tight with anger.
“Someone killed my sister. Cordelia helped me get into the school so that I could figure out who did it, and to...to bring them down.”
The shock that registers on their faces would almost be comical if it weren’t for the subject matter.
“The fire?” Jax demands.
“Me.” My voice is low, barely audible and I don’t look them in the eyes. That sharp twisting pain in my gut that I get whenever I think of that night starts up again.
“People got hurt. WE got hurt in that fire. Someone almost died.” I can’t handle the accusation in his tone and so I respond how I always do when cornered and guilty; with attitude.
“Someone did die,” I blaze at them defiantly. “My sister...I have no regrets.” That last statement is a lie. I have regrets. Huge ones that either keep me up at night or wake me screaming from my nightmares, but I’m not about to tell them that. I will not back down or show them weakness.
“We thought Michael...” Thorn begins.
“No.” My response is emphatic.
“If someone hurts the people you love...” Rebel whispers.
