The Fall

Chapter 10

Sage, Age 16

"Happy birthday, Princess." Dad sweeps me into his arms and I stiffen, not because of the contact, but because of the perfume on his shirt that I know doesn't belong to my mother. Of course he'd show up to my birthday dinner after fucking his gold digger slut of the month.

"Thank you, Father." I pulled away from him with a smile I didn't feel. I prepared myself for the trainwreck this dinner would be with both my parents in attendance. "Glad you could get away to join us, Kings." My mother appeared at my side and rolled her eyes.

"Kendall, it's our daughter's birthday. I'm not going to fight with you tonight." My father's baby blue eyes that my brother and I inherited gazed into mine as he smiled, "would my princess like to see her gift?" I pushed my annoyance with my father to the side and nodded excitedly, "don't tell me it's another horse, Daddy, Chestnut will get jealous." I tucked my arm into his as we walked out of the restaurant my parents had reserved for us.

I was not expecting to see not one, but two cars in the parking lot with ribbons on them. A beautiful white Audi TTS with black rims lit with LED lights around it and under the car all lit the color blue, my favorite color of the moment. Next to it sits an all black Range Rover with the same LED lights as my Audi. I jump up and squeal and hug both my parents, not caring who actually gifted me what cars.

"You know the rules, Sage. Until you've had your license for six months, you are not to drive alone at night and I don't mean have your friends in the car. Either your mother, myself or your brother is to be in the car with you. Is that understood?" My father regarded me seriously and I nodded fully ready to enjoy my birthday. He kissed my cheek and then handed me the keys to the Audi. "You can drive it to hotel and only the hotel."

I smiled and practically skipped into the restaurant. I was having my birthday dinner at Neapolitan Nights, my favorite Italian restaurant. "Did you guys know I was getting two cars!" I asked my brother and Kaden when I got to our table. Kyle crossed his arms over his chest and glares at me, "of course you'd get two cars for your sixteenth. How the fuck is that fair?"

I shrugged, but knowing my parents it was a gift or gifts to buy my silence. "It's not my fault that I've got straight A's and never miss curfew, idiot." I stick my tongue out at Kyle, who marches off with his phone in hand Kaden stands in front of me a smirk on his face and those piercing ice blue eyes of his fixated on me.

"Kyle's just jealous his Ashton Martin is on wait-list. Happy sweet sixteen, Firefly." He pulls a box out of his pocket and gives it to me. My eyes widen when I open it to find a gold firefly pendant with diamonds on it. "It's beautiful, Kade. Thank you so much!" I'm thankful for the heels I'm wearing as I kiss his cheek. He stiffens briefly before giving me a small hug. "Here let me put it on for you, Firefly."

I move my loose curls to the side so that Kade could put my necklace on. "There. It's perfect and you look beautiful by the way." Is all said before finding his seat. I sat down beside Erin who grins watching the whole exchange, "ohmygod you totally have the hots for Kade! I mean, the boy is beyond sexy, but aren't you and Hunter kind of a thing?" Something in her tone irks me, but I can't place it. Hunter's not the guy I should be worried about. Not at all.

After dinner, Erin and I rode in my Audi to Grande Jewlel Hotel and Spa. My select group of girlfriends were arriving via the limo we took on the way to dinner. My parents and Kyle and Kaden took a separate car and I couldn't help but look for him. Anthony. My Anthony. He promised he'd spend my birthday with me, but so far all I've got was a good morning text. Not a happy birthday Princess or I love you.

"Let's get you up to the suite." Dad said beside me, annoyance in his voice. My gaze shifted to my brother, hoping for a clue as to what's wrong, but his eyes are cold as well. "We'll be staying on your floor as well as your brother and Kaden. You are not to leave your room unsupervised. Is that clear?"