The Betrayal of Renegade X (Renegade X, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

doesn’t mean from her. Like we both don’t know that Xavier’s going to be glued to her the whole time.
    I feel like I’m going to throw up. “That’s the favor you want from me.” So much for her wanting me around.
    “Your brother’s very sensitive. You have a tendency to upset him, and I don’t want anyone causing a scene.” My brother is only three months old, though he looks more like an eight-year-old kid, thanks to Mom’s crazy growth formula. She also implants fake memories in his brain at night while he’s asleep to try and make up for how fast he’s growing, but I’m pretty sure that just makes him worse.
    “And by anyone , you mean me.” As if I’m the one who’ll start screaming and throwing a fit at the drop of a hat.
    “He can’t help himself,” she says, almost whispering. “Everyone’s going to be there, all our guests, and I just want everything to go smoothly. It’s a big day for us. For our little family.”
    I swallow. “But not for me.”
    She sighs, exasperated, like I’m the one being difficult and asking something outrageous of her. “Don’t be like that. I’m stressed enough as it is—I don’t need any difficulties from you. And Xavier’s so excited that Taylor and I are getting married, and that he’s going to be part of it. Just do this one thing for me. All I’m asking is for you to behave.”
    “Because I’m the awful one.”
    “So much goes into planning an event . One people will remember for years to come. I just want them to remember it for the right reasons. So I don’t want anyone causing a scene or making a spectacle of themselves.”
    “How pissed were you at Taylor for inviting me?”
    “ Damien. That’s not what this is about.”
    “Except you wish I wasn’t going to be there, causing trouble, right?”
    “I saw the news. I saw what you did during your final.”
    “Yeah, but you hate superheroes.” Though that didn’t stop her from sleeping with my dad in a filthy subway bathroom. “You should be proud.”
    “You made a big spectacle of yourself and ended up in the tabloids. I just want you to keep a low profile at my wedding. Don’t upset anyone. You know how you are.”
    I clench my fist. Little sparks of lightning run along my spine. “So be quiet and stay out of the way.” Maybe Kat’s right. Maybe I don’t need this.
    “Is that so much to ask? On my big day?”
    If she says the words big day one more time... “I don’t upset Xavier—he upsets me .”
    “All the more reason to stay away from him. Just at the wedding. Someday, when he’s older, you two will get along so well.”
    “So, in another month or two?” More like in another universe.
    “And this wedding will be a good memory for both of you. It’s going to be perfect.”
    “But only if no one knows I’m there.” Because the only thing that could make her wedding actually perfect is getting to pretend she has one son, not two.
    She makes a frustrated noise in the back of her throat. “Damien, you’re not listening to me. I never said that.”
    “You didn’t have to. I heard you loud and clear. Don’t ruin the wedding. Got it.” The sparks running up my spine get more intense, and I can feel all my hair standing on end.
    “If you don’t think you can do that—”
    “Don’t worry. It won’t be a problem.” Electricity flickers along my arm, building up underneath my skin. I try to hold it back, but I’m too pissed at her and it’s not working.
    “But if you’re not sure, if you don’t think you can control yourself, then maybe you shouldn’t—”
    There’s a loud crackle as lightning surges into my hands. I drop the phone, not even bothering to hang up, just in time for it to not get fried.
    And just in time to not hear how she was going to end that sentence, even though it’s not hard to guess.
    If I’m not sure I can control myself, maybe I shouldn’t show up for the wedding.

    I grab my hooded sweatshirt from the hall closet the next