Page 108 of The Duplicity of Thieves

Vivian gasps. “How can you say that?”

“The book.” Josie glares at her. Vivian seems to deflate at that comment. “My answer is no. I have other responsibilities now.” She glances at me quickly before returning to their standoff.

“I understand, Jo. I have a hard time doing it, but I do.” Vivian shares a look with Bella.

Bella has been silent for the entire back and forth. I’ve still never gotten a solid read on her. The only thing I've been able to determine are that she’s meticulous and careful. She takes a step back and studies the world around her. I’m not sure how she ended up with Vivian, but with how fiercely protective Josie is, it couldn’t have been easy. I can tell Bella cares for them both. I don’t think you can love one sister without the other.

“How’s the clinic?” Josie changes the subject. All seems forgotten at the mention of the clinic. Vivian speaks rapidly, telling stories from the last week at work.

Hermes clears his throat. “How’s David?”

That earns him his own glare from Vivian. “He might leave the clinic.”

“Why?” Hermes brows furrow.

“Because his rich boyfriend broke up with him, and we don’t exactly make a lot of money.”

He seems to make a mental note of it. “I see.”

Their conversation continues until Hermes and Minos begin telling their own versions of that night at the pub and the day we got married. Bella extracts herself from the conversation quietly and settles against the wall next to me.

“I’ve never seen Josie like this. Vivian hasn’t in a very long time,” Bella says, watching Josie with adoration. It's one of the few times she has openly shown her feelings.

“Like what?” I sip from my glass.

She doesn't look at me. “Happy.”

“There is no one like her,” I muse.

“That’s certainly true.”

“Minos said you all were packing when he stopped by.”

Bella hesitates. “Vivian doesn’t know how to tell her.”

“You’re really going back?”

“Vivian always wanted to, but she knew Josie wouldn’t.”

“Why not?”

Bella chews on the inside of her cheek. “I’m not sure I should speak on it.”

“Seems to be everyone’s sentiment when it comes to my wife.”

“Look,” she sighs. “Josie deserves the respect of telling her own story. They watched their family get murdered.” She waits for my reaction.

“I knew that,” I ease her burden.

“Josie didn’t take it well. Vivian has never told me specifics and neither has Josie. I’m sure you’ve figured out she likes to bury things.” I nod confirmation. “She's a target. It’s too dangerous for my fiancée to stay here. Whatever happened that night has stopped Josie from going back or even really speaking on the subject.”

“Vivian mentioned that Josie never had much of a choice there,” I sympathize.

“No, she didn’t. Every movement was controlled. Choices were stolen from her, even if it was well intentioned.”

“Does Vivian think Josie should go back?”

“Why? Are you not the prince of the Underworld? Don’t you have a responsibility to protect the people?” she scoffs.

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