Page 216 of Mayhem and Minnie

“You look good,” I tell her as I let my eyes roam down her body. She looks ready for a funeral, not a birthday party, but I’m not mad. Minnie makes death look hot.

She scoffs at me.

“Don’t think this is anything but a favor to your mother. I’m not talking to you,” she fires back.

“You’re talking to me right now,” I note drily.

“Because I’m forced to do so. Not because I want to.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “You’re still an asshole, Marlowe.”

“But I’m your asshole. Doesn’t that count for anything?” I murmur as I step closer to her.

She takes a step back.

“You’re getting ahead of yourself. I’m still waiting for an apology,” she says as she straightens her shoulders.

“You’ll have to wait an eternity,” I joke. “I’m not about to apologize for making sure you’re mine. Just mine.”

She half-turns. I can’t see her expression to know what she’s thinking.

“Good thing I have an eternity to wait,” she adds saucily. Then she turns with her back to me and starts down the stairs. Her hips sway from side to side in a maddening display of sensuality that literally has me by the balls.

I mutter a string of curses under my breath and go after her.

The car ride to my mother’s home is quiet.

She doesn’t speak. Not even when I ask her a simple question like how’s the weather. She thoroughly ignores me.

I grumble under my breath.

How the hell do I fix this rift with her? Without compromising on the fact that I want her only for myself, with nothing and no one standing between us—not even a dead dude.

As we reach my mother’s house, I park the car in the driveway and we get out. I open the trunk and get the present I’d prepared for my mother, and we head to the door.

Minnie gives me a side-eye as I move closer to her, but I ignore it and put my arm around her. At the same time, the door opens and my mother greets us with a wide smile on her face.

“Marlowe! Minnie! Welcome!” she exclaims as she rushes toward us to give us each a hug.

I clench my teeth as I let her hug me. It’s her birthday after all. I suppose it’s the least I could do.

She presses her lips against one cheek, then the other.

“I’m so happy you’re here,” she murmurs, her entire face lit up with happiness.

I nod tightly.

She moves on to Minnie, giving her a tight hug as well.

Minnie’s attitude transforms under my eyes. Where she was icy with me, with my mother, it’s like watching a flower bloom in spring.

I curse under my breath.

My mother gives me a harsh look. Then her eyes widen.

“Whatever happened to your face, Marlowe?” she shrieks.

Of course, here it comes.

Minnie gives me a pointed look.

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