Flashback ( PDFDrive )

home with her so she isn’t alone when she has to watch your parents let your
brother in. And honestly? I don’t blame her for that.
I don’t either. He let out a breath, and it sounded a lot like he was
deflating. Ugh, I hate this.
I know.
I mean, I REALLY hate it.
I know.
This is how it’s going to be from here on out. Everything’s going to revolve
around Alvar. First they drag me home early because they couldn’t be
bothered to wait one day. And next it’ll be, “We can’t have anyone over right
now—it’s a security risk.” Not that anyone will want to come over knowing
there’s a murderer at my house.
I will, Sophie promised. And I’m sure Keefe will—and Tam and Linh
and Dex. Probably even Marella. We’ll be allowed to, right?
I don’t know, he admitted. I could see my dad saying it’s too risky. Or
your new bodyguards might not want you around my brother.
She cringed at the reminder of exactly how many people she’d have
bossing her around once she got home. But now wasn’t the time to
worry about herself.
Yeah, well . . . they can’t keep me away.
He didn’t return her smile.
That’s not even the worst part, he told her. The worst part will be when
my parents start nagging me and Biana to spend time at Alvar’s apartment
because “the Council needs to see how he interacts with other people.” And
if we don’t give in, they’ll just let him into the house—though I’m sure they’ll
do that anyway.
He flung Mr. Snuggles across the room.
“Sorry,” he said out loud. “I’m fine—don’t worry about the echo.”