The Evil Stepsister (Fairytale Killers #2)

It's Still A Great Record

"Caterinaaaaaa," Carmela cried against the bathroom door, up in their room.

"I'm not upset, I'm angry!" her sister yelled, locked in their bathroom. "I thought Jack and I had something, and I've wasted time on something that was never there!"

Carmela didn't know what to say.

"You have to say no," the door insisted. "You can't go!"

Carmela stood silent.

"Carmela!"

"I know what I'm doing. I don't want him claiming Catalina, or you. I can handle him," she hoped. She picked out a dress, almost crying at the thought of a closet where there would be just one of everything.

"You can't do this!"

"Caterina, just come out so I can hug you goodbye!"

"No! We go downstairs and we tell Rawlings that unfortunately you can't join him to your rape because you already had plans with your sister!"

There was a sting there, so Carmela extracted herself, "I'll send for my things later!"

Slamming the door behind her, the hallway failed to bring relief. Driver was there, judgmentally hot, evaluating her minidress.

"You're actually going?"

Carmela crossed her arms.

"What does Franco have on you," he asked. "Or is this just about the money?"

Insulted, she tried to pass him. She'd forget him, she was good at it.

"Listen, whatever it is, I can help you," he took her hand. Maybe he could.

"You'll just endanger yourself," she warned him. Maybe they could convince Franco.

"Noo, listen," he said. "I'm a cop."

"A... cop?" She looked at him, taking him in as if for the first time. He looked the same, still fear spread through her veins. She took her hand back.

"Undercover," he made her understand his initial and probably only interest in her.

"You... were lying?"

He saw something was wrong, so he added, "Your mom's safe. I wasn't supposed to tell you, but she's getting you all out. You don't have to do anything you don't want to!"

All the lies she'd expected, him being a completely different person wasn't one. She could've accepted a dark secret, but not to be back to square one, her Max video the only actual information she had about him. Not even a name.

She took a step back. He was convincing, looked like he cared, probably meant well. It was not enough for Carmela to nuke her life.

"You're a cop?" she went for her mother's voice, comfortable when attacking. "Too bad, Driver," she smiled seductively.

He didn't smile back.

"Maybe it could've worked, you being Franco's guy. If Rawlings wanted Caterina. Maybe Franco would've accepted," she sighed theatrically. "I could've convinced him."

She pouted like the expert selfie-taker that she was, "But I really, really don't want to be poor."

He stiffened, so she explained, "Cop girlfriend isn't for me. I'm not gonna spend my life saving up to pay bills and going to low-key places where the food is great. Some women want that, I just want a spoiled life with little to do and a man who is great in bed, like Jack Rawlings looks like he is."

"Yeah, good luck separating him from his father," Oz fought back, finally, making it easier on her.

"I'll let you know when I replace my Max video," Carmela walked away.

"My money is on Senior," she only heard his hostility.

She turned around, not letting him have the last word. "Aww, don't be bitter. It's still a great record, two years. You should be proud."