The Ex-con Queen Strikes Back novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Yana’s hands shook, her voice nearly a scream. Tie these jerks up! I want to know who’s bold enough to cause trouble at a Lambert family gala

“Mom, let’s leave it to the experts,” Skylar said, cool as ever. “Call the police.”

Yana, still steaming, took a deep breath to calm down. “Skylar’s right. Get the cops heret

“No way!” Freya yelped, her voice high and sharp, cutting through the heavy air.

She was overdoing it way too much.

Every pair of eyes in the room locked onto her, curious and suspicious.

Skylar’s lips twitched into a sly smirk. “What’s the issue, Freya? Why’re you so against calling the cops?”

“You seem pretty rattled,” she added, tilting her head. “You got a connection to these guys or something?”

Yana’s stare turned cold, her tone sharp. “Freya?”

Freya’s heart raced, Yana’s

doubt bit..

hitting her like a punch.

She swallowed her panic, her lips quivering as tears streamed down. “I’m just trying to protect Skylar! How could you guys think that about me?”

“Really?” Skylar leaned back, arms crossed, her voice thick with doubt. “Then explain. How exactly are you protecting me?”

Freya’s mind scrambled. “If we call the cops, this whole thing will spread like wildfire. People will gossip, and it’ll ruin Skylar’s reputation.”

She cried out, “I’m just looking out for her, I swear”

Yana’s tense face softened, a flicker of guilt in her eyes.

Freya jumped on it, her voice shaky as she looked at Yana, “I get it, Mom. You’re all about Skylar right now. She’s been through a lot, and you want to keep her safe. I’m not upset.”

Her words landed, making Yana feel even guiltier.

Yana reached for Freya’s hand, her voice gentle. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I jumped to conclusions.”

Freya gave a small nod. “It’s okay, Mom.”

The tension faded, and everyone let it go.

Yana turned to Skylar, “This is your call, Skylar. How do you want to handle it?”

She know the smart move but wanted Skylar to decide care to overstep, because that might offend Skylar

Skylar’s eyes narrowed. “Mom, the Lambert estate isn’t some open house.”

The place was locked down tight–security guards patrolled round–the–clock, and the entrance had a high–tech system that’d blare alarms and stop intruders cold if triggered.

et those guys had strolled in, untouched, and headed straight for the room where Skylar was changing

Yet

Coincidence? Not a chance.

Yana let out a sharp laugh. “Looks like we’ve got some traitors in our own home.”

Let’s do it your way,” she went on. “Call the cops. Once they get these guys talking, we’ll clean house.”

Skylar gave a quick nod.

The police showed up fast, taking brief statements.

They carted the men off to the station, promising to follow up on any leads.

Freya’s stomach twisted, her nerves shot.

She slipped into a corner, fumbling with her phone to text for help. Before she could send it, a hand yanked the phone from her grip.

She whipped around, eyes wide. “Who…”

A slim hand clamped around her throat, cutting off her words, Her breath caught. “S Skylar, are you crazy?”

“Am I crazy?” Skylar’s smile was sugary sweet, her grip tightening. “Didn’t you already figure that out?”

Freya gasped, clawing at the air, desperate for air.

It wasn’t enough.

Her face turned a sickly purple, eyes rolling back as her vision faded.

Just as she was about to pass out, Skylar let go.

Freya collapsed to the floor like a tossed rag, wheezing, her body drenched in cold sweat. She didn’t care about the gross stickiness–she couldn’t

She stared up at Skylar, pure fear gripping her. This wasn’t her sister. This was a nightmare straight out of hell

Skylar crouched down, her fingers brushing Freya’s cheek. “Why the terrified puppy look?”

She grabbed Freya’s chin, forcing her to look up. “Your neck’s so delicate.”

“If I’d squeezed just a bit harder,” she said, almost curious, “you think it would’ve snapped?”

Freya screamed, smacking Skylar’s hand away and scooting back. “You’re a monster Stay away from me?”

Skylar caught her wrist, her other hand pinning Freya’s shoulder, Holding her still. “If you want to stay in one piece, you’d better behave.”

“Don’t mess with me,” she warned, her voice low. “Or you’ll regret it.”

She gave Freya’s cheek a light pat. “Don’t forget this moment: Let it stick with you.”

Freya swallowed hard, her throat tight with panic.

Skylar, looking pleased, stood up smoothly and strolled away.

Freya let out a shaky breath, her body sagging. She sat on the floor, stunned, for what felt like ages.

Finally, she leaned against the cold hardwood, pulling herself up and stumbling back to the gala, her legs feeling like they were made of lead. Downstairs, the party was still going strong, with guests clinking glasses and laughing, completely unaware of the drama that had gone down upstairs.

The second Freya showed up, her group of friends swooped in, tugging her onto a cushy couch.

“Freya, where’d you run off to?” one asked, swirling her wine glass. “We looked all over.”

“Had to handle something Freya muttered, smoothing out her dress.

Chapter 17

A friend who loved gossip leaned in, eyes sparkling. “So, Freya, I thought you were the only Lambert kid. Where’d this sister come from?”

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