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Chapter One

“MAY I DRIVE NOW?” I ASK STEVE, as he ates, and onto the paved driveway of the old brick mansion where I’ve lived since I was six

He turns a brief glance in my direction “Not today” He says, his voice deep and quiet With his shaved head and pererous mobster, but actually, he’s an ex-marine My stepfather Henry Weber hired him to drive me around and keep me out of “trouble” Whatever that is

Steve doesn’t talk et to the house I still have two years to go before I can get a license, but he says he has extreht me himself

We get to the end of the driveway, and I see why he didn’t let me drive The shiny black Bentley that’s usually covered up in the garage is parked close to the front door

That can only

They’re back

I frown

Steve stops the car “See you later kid” He sounds almost sympathetic

“Yeah” I reply sullenly, cli into the my feet to the door and cautiously push it open

Inside, all is quiet Relieved, I let ht, or sailing trip, or whatever, and have gone to bed already I move quietly With any luck, I can hide out in o out to one of the numerous parties they probably have lined up

No such luck When I get upstairs and open the door tofor me

She’s sitting atdesk, her back towards me Her black hair, which is the sa style, the way Henry prefers it She never wears her hair down any at the picture of my Dad and me that occupies center place on my desk In the picture, I’ me around his shoulders