In the blink of an eye, it was the next day.
A black, heavy–duty motorcycle thundered down the street, drawing stares from everyone in its path.
Felicity pulled up to the curb.
In front of her sat a tiny figure, dressed in a black denim jacket and wearing a matching helmet.
Felicity flipped up her visor, a mischievous grin lighting up her features.
“Selene–need a hand?”
Once again, Felicity had brought Dames along to Luke Holloway’s gym, just in time to catch Selene lugging two huge bags of trash down the stairs.
Selene wore a simple beige sweatshirt, sleeves pushed up to her elbows, her hair messily tied back with a scrunchie. A few loose strands framed her porcelain
cheeks.
The little figure in front of Felicity couldn’t contain himself.
“Why are you even talking to her?”
That was Dames. Seeing Selene like this, he felt nothing but embarrassment.
Felicity’s eyes sparkled with malicious delight. She’d brought Dames just to get a kick out of Selene’s misfortune.
Just then, Daph appeared, cradling a box of bottled water as she came down the stairs–her arms strong and steady.
Luke Holloway and the moving crew came out of the elevator, hauling heavy gym equipment onto a waiting truck.
Ha
Harrison had forced the landlord’s hand, buying the gym’s lease at triple the price and ordering that the space be cleared out within a day.
To Felicity, the whole scene was pure entertainment.
“Selene, do you ever stop to think you might be cursed? If you hadn’t come running to your brother, he wouldn’t have been dragged down with you. Now look, the gym’s shut for good.”
“Felicity, if you’re sick, go see a doctor. I’m not a vet.”
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Chapter 59
Selene dropped the trash into the dumpster.
What Felicity and Harrison didn’t realize was that the entire five–story commercial building behind Selene actually belonged to Luke Holloway. After buying it, he’d rented out each floor to different managers. Years ago, he’d opened the gym on a subleased space–helping out a manager whose wife had fallen seriously ill. Now, that manager had paid him back by wiring triple the rent straight to Luke’s account. Hearing Felicity’s gloating, Luke Holloway strode over. Even before he reached them, his imposing presence pressed down on Felicity, making the air feel tight. Even Dames looked uneasy.
“Go tell Harrison I’m not so easy to get rid of. I’m already negotiating with the landlords at Harmony Plaza and Celestia Plaza. If he wants to block me, he’ll have
to offer them a better deal than I can.”
Selene, standing behind Luke, fought back a laugh. Both properties were actually owned by Luke. He hoped Harrison would keep pouring money into his hands.
Felicity fumed inwardly. She’d make sure Harrison bought up every vacant space in those malls. But in reality, Luke’s aura rattled her so much her voice came out dry.
“Mr. Holloway, nobody wants trouble with you. It’s just Selene–she keeps provoking Harrison. If you cut ties with her, you could have a decent life in Capital City.”
Dames tugged at Felicity’s jacket, anxious. “Let’s get out of here! Don’t talk to them!” Luke’s presence was suffocating. Dames felt like he could barely breathe, but he’d sooner hide behind Felicity than take off his helmet and face Luke directly.
Felicity glanced over at Selene. “Aren’t you going to say hi to your mom?”
“Yuck!” Dames wrinkled his nose, catching a whiff of the dumpster from afar.
Luke’s jaw tightened at the sound of Dames‘ disgust.
“I don’t want a stinky mom! I just want Flick! Flick, let’s go for a ride! It smells awful here!”
“You little brat!” Luke growled, making Dames cower into Felicity’s arms.
“Luke Holloway! If you dare touch Dames, Harrison will make sure you’re run out of Capital City!” Felicity shot back, relishing the power that Harrison’s name brought her.
“Selene, if I remember right, today’s the last day of your divorce cooling–off period
Chapter 59
with Harrison. Once it’s official, Harrison will still be the city’s most eligible bachelor. And you…”
Felicity’s eyes swept Selene from head to toe, dripping with scorn.
“You still haven’t found a proper job. Our parents never should have taken you back. Trash like you belongs in the gutter. Goodbye, my pitiful, broke sister.”
In his head, Dames echoed her words: Goodbye, my dramatic, embarrassing
mother.
Felicity’s airy taunt was lost in the roar of the motorcycle engine as she turned the bike around, tires squealing against the pavement.
Suddenly, a car came speeding straight at them.
Felicity jerked the handlebars in panic.
BAM! The motorcycle crashed into the roadside barrier.
Dames, sitting right in front, was thrown into the air.
