Pretty Poisoned Novel by Elle Mitchell

“I don’t even notice them,” he says, shrugging. “I only see you.” “I love you,” I tell him. “You’re my best friend.” “I love you, too, Teag.” He kisses me on the lips. “Let’s go.” I take his hand and follow him back inside the hotel. image-placeholder We all ride together to the venue in…

“It’s the ‘D,’ isn’t it?” Luca asks. “Is it?” I ask. “I’m not going.” “Don’t be a brat, Teagan. Come here.” With a heavy sigh, I stand and drag myself over to the doorframe where he stands. “The eyeroll was really uncalled for,” he says, grabbing me by my chin. “I might have to bend…

“I like that, too.” “Teagan?” A hand covers my mouth as I open my eyes in the dark space. Declan lies beside me on the bed, his face mere centimeters from my own. “Shhh,” Declan says. “Be quiet, okay?” I nod, and he removes his hand from my mouth, combing his fingers through my hair…

And there it is—his first highlight. It is of my professional opinion that Teagan is not suicidal but reacted rashly to a specific incident and is not at risk for a second attempt. I suck in a breath and go back to scrolling. Teagan seems to be incapable of forming meaningful relationships with her peers….

“I don’t know how to answer that,” she says. “Not that bad, thanks to me. The places I couldn’t glue are a little weepy, and you’ll need to change the bandage again before we leave. You might be able to take it off tomorrow.” “Thank you,” I tell her. “You’re welcome.” Her bare thigh brushes…

I clutch Luca’s shirt in my hands, breathe in his scent, and cry. “It’s okay, angel,” he says. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.” He kisses the top of my head and the side of my face. “How bad was it, Riv?” he asks. “Really fucking bad,” she tells him. “She shouldn’t be here; she should…

“But I don’t want to leave,” I tell him. “I don’t have anywhere to go.” “It’s that or the woods, Teagan,” Eli says. “Your choice.” “Hey,” Rhett says from the doorway. “What are you doing? Let’s go.” “Just having a friendly chat with Teagan,” he says, standing up and making his way toward the door….

“Black licorice?” “That’s it,” he says. “Black licorice.” He leans in and kisses me again. “Bittersweet. And dangerous.” “I’m not dangerous,” I say as he kisses my neck and the hand inside my shirt makes its way up to my breasts. “Declan…wait.” “What? What’s wrong?” “I have to tell you something, and I don’t think…

“I get how you would see it that way, but I don’t.” “You hurt me,” I cry. “I’ve been good to you,” Declan says. “I took you home and gave you a family. You’re free now—isn’t that what you wanted? What’s the problem?” “I don’t believe you.” “I told you the truth. I didn’t have…

I frown, and he sits in that space next to me. So much for him hiding upstairs. “Get over it, Teagan,” Declan says. “I’m not going to apologize to you; I’m not sorry.” “I didn’t expect you to,” I tell him. I try to make myself smaller somehow—to sink further into Luca’s side. I don’t…