Shattered Legacy : A Dark Bully Romance (Gravestone Elite Book 1) by Caitlyn Dare (red seas under red skies TXT) 📕

So why hasn’t he texted me back?

The obvious reason is that he’s realized I’m not worth it.

It shouldn’t hurt so much, but it does. Even though I know it’ll save us both a lot of inevitable heartache if we walk away now, I can’t get his words out of my head.

“You’re mine, Mia. Mine.”

Why would he say that and then ghost me?

Tears prick the corners of my eyes, but they’re ones of frustration and anger. I could go to his dorm room and demand answers, but I can’t risk being seen. It’s bad enough that Bexley sneaks in and out of my room.

Soon he’ll no longer be initium. He’ll be Electi. I can’t imagine him and Alex part of Cade’s group. But that’s what being initiated means—it means becoming one of them. Sasha explained that once they pass the final test, they’ll have to move to the Electi house on the outskirts of campus. I can’t imagine Bexley ever living under the same roof as Cade. Perhaps he has a plan, an escape plan to avoid a life of being Cade’s lapdog.

Who I am kidding?

You don’t ever escape the Electi or Quinctus. They’d rather kill you than let you walk away. There are too many secrets, too much at stake.

Why me?

Why did my name have to be called that fateful night?

It still doesn’t make sense.

I’m no one.

Cade never looked twice at me before. But now his attention is set firmly on me, and it worries me. I know I’m a game, a conquest… but I can’t help but wonder what happens when he finally wins. When he finally makes me his.

I’m just about to send Bexley another text message when my cell phone pings. For a second, excitement fills my chest, thinking it’s probably him, at last.

But it isn’t.

I read Cade’s text with a sense of dread. He wants to see me tonight. I quickly text him back that I have to study, hoping that he’ll let me off the hook. But his reply is instant, and it chills me to the bone.

Cade: I’ve missed you, Mia. Wear something sexy. I’ll pick you up at seven.

The Cibus is one of Gravestone’s most exclusive restaurants, reserved only for the elite families of the town and their associates. Of course, Cade breezes into the place as if he owns it, and the host almost falls over himself to accommodate us.

“We have your table waiting, sir.”

I smother a chuckle. Cade is barely twenty-one. To call him sir seems so inappropriate when he’s nothing more than a man-child with more money and power than sense.

The host pulls out a chair for me and I fold myself into it, placing my purse on the table. I settled on a modest navy dress for this evening. It has a collared neckline and cinches in at my waist before flaring over my hips. Most girls would have spent hours primping and preening themselves for a date with the infamous Cade Kingsley. But not me. I wield my makeup like it’s armor. From the way Cade hungrily eyes me across the table, I know my efforts at demure have backfired.

“You seem nervous,” he says.

“I’m not.” The lie rolls off my tongue.

“Good to know.” He takes it upon himself to order us a bottle of champagne.

“Are we celebrating?” I ask, impressed by how together my voice sounds.

“I guess you could call it an early celebration of sorts.” He cocks a brow at me, giving me a wolfish grin. “Did you enjoy your weekend?”

“Did you?” I retort, and he chuckles.

“It’s just dinner, Mia. I promise. No ulterior motives.” Cade smooths a hand through his perfectly styled hair. There’s no denying he looks good in the black dress shirt and charcoal slacks. People watch us discreetly over their menus and meals. News has spread across town about Cade and his new girlfriend. Those of verus bloodline understand what it means, while outsiders just think the infamous playboy has finally decided to settle down. Tonight, we’re in verus territory. The Cibus is as exclusive as it comes.

I feel their stares of curiosity, their judgement. In high school I blended with the shadows. I didn’t occupy the limelight or hang with the most popular kids. I was a wallflower, and I was happy being there. But now, everything is different. The light shines too brightly on me, and I feel like every flaw, every imperfection and doubt I have, is on display for all to see.

Especially Cade.

“Everyone is staring,” I hiss after it’s apparent we’re not going to get to eat in private tonight.

“Welcome to my world.” Cade winks. He actually winks. Conceited asshole. “You know, most girls would pay, maybe even kill, to be where you’re sitting, Mia.” His dark eyes study me, making my heart race. And not in a good way. “And yet, I can’t help but feel like you want to be anywhere but here.”

I grab my glass of champagne and bring it to my lips. Before all this, being in the Eligere and Bexley’s initiation, I would have turned down the offer of alcohol. But now, I need it. I need something to tamp down the constant anger and betrayal I feel at my dire situation.

“It was a mistake, and you know it.”

“Q don’t make mistakes, Mia. Every thought, every action is carefully planned and considered. You think they didn’t know exactly whose name was going to be called that night?”

“But that’s not—"

“Isn’t it? You verus are always so happy to believe everything we tell you. Do you really think Quinctus would leave the Eligere to mere chance?”

“Well, no. I didn’t…” He’s right. I guess I hadn’t given it tons of thought. We’re brought up to believe that the calix produces the name of the chosen prosapia. Of course we all know that someone has to physically put the name in the calix, but we don’t question it. Just like we don’t question any of the traditions of our town.

But maybe we should.

Brook’s