tricks of time ― grayson hawthorne [the inheritance games]

030. TRUE NORTH

"Deeply in love," Xander confirmed. Thea called her painfully beautiful. 

"The best friend and the younger sister. What was I supposed to do? They didn't think Emily would understand. She was possessive of the people she loved, and I knew how hard it was for Rebecca to go against her. Just once, Bex wanted something for herself."

I wondered if Xander had feelings for her- if fake dating Thea had been his twisted, Rube Goldberg way of saying that. "Were Thea and Rebecca right?" I asked. "About Emily not understanding?"

"And then some." Xander paused. "Em found out about them that night. She saw it as a betrayal."

Of course it led back to that night- the night she died. No matter who I talked to, it always led back to that night. 

The music came to an end, and Xander dropped my hand, keeping his other arm around my waist. "Smile for the press," he murmured. "Give them a story. Look deep into my eyes. Feel the weight of my charm. Think of your favorite baked goods."

The edges of my lips turned up. "I'm going to look like a slut after this. 3 of the brothers?" 

"The more the merrier," he says jollily. 

Xander escorted me off the dance floor to a pleased Alisa. "You can go now," she told me, happily. "If you'd like." Hell yes.

"I know about Jameson's plan." 

That got my full attention. "I know exactly why he wants to go to True North and what's there. I could win this."  Xander looked down at his fancy shoes. "But Jameson and Grayson need it more. Head back to Hawthorne House. There'll be a chopper waiting for you when get there. Have the pilot fly you over to True North." 

"How do you know all this?" 

He shrugs playfully. "I have my ways. But you should know," Xander told me, "where you go, they'll follow."They, as in his brothers. 

"I thought you wanted to win," I said to Xander.

He swallowed. Hard. "I do."

____

I'd only halfway believed Xander when he'd promised me a chopper, but there it was, on the front lawn of Hawthorne House, blades still. Somehow, Oren as well had found out about the plan. Thankfully, he believed we were on our way to True North to ski- but it was anything but that. 

Through the corner of my eye, I see the Grandfather clock that resides on top of one of Hawthorne Houses' several towers. It reads: 10:32.

Great, I think to myself. I have to make it across this never-ending field in exactly three minutes.

I don't waste anymore of the precious time I have. I lift up the folds of my dress and kick off my heels. My toes squirm against the dewy grass, but I deal with it and run. I try my best not to get my dress dirty, but I already see the dirt making its mark. Oh well.

I'm panting heavily when I reach the doors of the chopper. I step in hastily, almost tripping on my dress in the process and I throw my shoes and handbag into a vacant seat. I'm surprised to see both of the brothers already waiting and strapped up.

"10:36. You're a minute late, Heiress," Jameson says.

I roll my eyes. I attempt to talk but I fail. A few seconds later, I speak again, the oxygen finally filling my lungs up. "Cut me some slack," I say. "You didn't have to spend the whole evening at a stupid auction with stupid people and..." I itch my side, "an itchy dress."

He laughs. Looking at the other brother, Grayson's expression was impossible to read as I climbed on board.

Did Jameson tell you that I killed her? The echo of the question was deafening in my mind. As if he'd heard it, Jameson's head whipped toward Grayson. "Why so quiet, big brother?"

Grayson shakes his head, lifting his gaze off me and instead focusing on the window. "Nothing," he mumbles.

I buckle myself in as I speak. "How did you get Oren to agree to this, anyway?"

Jameson shrugs. "Don't know. I think he was a bit drunk. But still, Oren wouldn't let me step foot into the chopper until he checked it over. Even then," Jameson says, laughing himself now, "he insisted on being the pilot himself."

I smile and I even see Grayson cracking a smile. "Well he sure as hell is committed to his job then," I joke. 

I fasten the second seat-belt and I suddenly feel like the two seat-belts are squeezing the insides out of me. The dress is making it hard to breathe.

"Mr. Hawthorne, Mr. Hawthorne," I hear a voice say. I jerk upwards and meet the gaze of a woman with colorful box braids, vibrant makeup, and an outfit so spectacular that it would probably give Alisa a run for her money. "And, Ms. Adler," she says.

"Who are you?" I say in the politest way I could. 

"I'm Jessica Oren," she says, outstretching a hand. "I'm going to be your pilot tonight."

I raise my eyebrows. "You're Oren's sister?"

She smiles but shakes her head. "No," she says. "Cousin."

I raise my eyebrows and nod as she continues talking. "I'm the only one he trusted enough to take you three."

The other brothers are silent.

"Well," she says, clearly noticing the awkward atmosphere, "I'm going to check some metrics for the chopper. I'll be done in no time. Are you three ready?"

I nod together with Jameson and Grayson.

I don't think I've ever been so ready for anything in my whole life. 

authors note

I HATE THE ENDING TO THIS CHAPTER HOLY SHIT

anyway, i changed the cover for this book and i'm kinda loving it. please vote and comment, thank you! 

word count: 1544 words