Page 42 of Promise to Break

"Hmm. Begrudgingly, I have to admit it's a perfect name for this lovely pup. You are adorable, aren't you?"

The dog notices Maricela. Its eyes are full of need as if telling her, "You have two hands too," and fuck me with a hedgehog. It works for the mutt. The wild child smiles and gets down on her heels beside Raven, petting the beast as well.

"Do you like dogs?"

Just when I think she isn't going to answer me, she does. "Yes. We had a dog when I was really young. He was my father's police dog, or supposed to be, but he didn't listen well, so my father left him at home with us most of the time. They took it away when my father passed. I hope he found a good home."

The realization that I don't know much about this girl, even after researching all I could, bothers me.

"Your father sounds cool. I wish he were still with you," Raven says as an afterthought, but something in Maricela's eyes changes. They become darker, and even from here, I can see how the green overtakes the blue in her orbs.

"Are you going to the Molinas party today?" I ask after Hero decides he can't wait any longer and goes to relieve his bladder.

"Yes, Daddy, we are," Raven sings as Hero shakes his hair all over the place, making sure to leave as much fur behind as he can.

"Don't make me call Uncle," I tell her. "You know the rules."

A kiss on the cheek is all I get before she says, "I know. Not a step without my bodyguard." I try to ignore the melancholy in her voice. I'm an asshole, and I'm her friend, and still I can't give her the one thing she wants. Freedom. Not from this life and not from her future husband.

Chapter eighteen

Killian

The Molinas are the biggest shareholders of their father's company. They study business and law, and they love parties. They are the best in the entire school and maybe even in New York at organizing gatherings. Tonight, the theme is a circus. The Molina home is full of color, acrobats, and even monkeys that should be illegal to own, but nothing is too much when your money speaks for you. Seeing it now, no one could imagine that on a daily basis, this place has a classic decor full of cozy furniture.

I walk inside to a blast of color, laughter, and alcohol, never mind that no one here is above the age of twenty. To get an invitation to one of these parties is a privilege many aspire to, but that's not why I was eager to get here. Only two attendees interest me at the moment, Maricela and my ex-fiancée, and I scan the crowd, looking for each. It's easy to spot Lila, first for her red hair and second for the anchor of girls always surrounding her, like flies on trash. She looks stunning today, with a delicate strappy green dress that hides little of her skin and boobs. Maricela is harder to spot. She never likes to take too much space, just like Raven.

"Are they here yet?" Liam asks.

I point to Lila. "One of them. I haven't spotted Rav and Maricela yet," I answer over the loud music. The place is buzzing with life and people looking for the next best thrill.

"Mate, look." Liam motions toward the entry.

Fuck. Maricela isn't wearing her usual jeans and T-shirt. She's in a black dress that I know well because I was the one who bought it for Raven. The dress is molded to Maricela, hugging her curvy figure in all the right places, and I know the second her back is turned to me, her spine will be bare for the world to see. Her hair is down and pulled to one side, and her eyes look even bigger than normal from here. This makeover was all Raven's doing. I know that without having to ask.

"Fuck, mate. She looks good." Yes, yes, she does.

Kai's jaw is set as he joins us. He had to meet with the family of his bride-to-be today. Liam and I wanted to go with him, but he refused. At least Nikoli was there with him.

"Are you guys ready?" They both nod in response to my question, knowing exactly what their roles are.

When I was six, I saw my first dead man. I remember the moment and will for the rest of my life. The blood on the floor reached my feet, and I touched it, not really understanding the sharp sound of the knife and the gurgling sounds man-made. I wasn't supposed to be there. But when my uncle wanted to take me away, my father refused, saying it would happen sooner or later and that I needed to get used to the blood. I did get used to it—faster than expected—and I also learned quickly how to stay calm.

Maybe it was because I saw death at such a young age, or maybe because I was born with no regard for human life. Whatever the cause, I learned control early on. I wear not a single emotion on my face, and I'm careful to keep any hint of humanity from my eyes.

Raven takes Maricela by the hand and gives no regard to the bodyguards attempting to follow. In contrast to Maricela's black dress, Raven's is the color of champagne, and her hair falls on her shoulders in a river of sunshine. As always, her makeup is flawless. She's the perfect mafia princess. I try to gauge Liam's reaction, but as usual for him, he's got his nonchalant mask with its too-easy smile in place.

"You came," I say like a moron as we reach the girls.

"We did. How's Hero?" Raven asks, doing everything in her power to ignore Liam.

"It's fine," I answer.

"It? Don't you know if it's a boy or a girl? You've seen his balls, haven't you, Kill?" Raven teases, and Maricela bursts out laughing. It's not the first time I've heard it, even though Maricela isn't one to laugh easily. Her entire being comes to life as the sounds escape her lips.

Raven joins Maricela, laughing as freely as her friend. I've never seen my Rav look so happy.

"What's so funny?"

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