Page 60 of A Sinner's Virtue
“How will me killing myself cause your demise?” I ask him. I can already feel the tension from my body start to melt away.
“My brother loves you. If you die because I got you stoned, then he’s going to kill me,” Vin says.
“Ah, no, he doesn’t.” Marcel isn’t in love with me. Is he?
“Live in the land of denial if you want, but it’s true. You wouldn’t be in this house if he didn’t.”
I stare out at the immaculate gardens, the world around me suddenly more… everything. “Do you like cake?” I ask Vin as soon as the idea pops into my head.
“Oh god, you’re one of those stoners,” Vin groans. “Come on, I’ll find you some cake.” He pushes to his feet while balancing himself against the wall, then holds out a hand to me.
“Thanks. Think we can get chocolate cake?” I ask.
“Probably.” He smiles while pulling me to my feet and then letting go of my hand. I follow him back into the house and into the kitchen.
“Oh, Jesus, Vin, tell me you didn’t get her stoned.” Eloise sighs the moment she spots me.
“She was stressed. I helped her.” Vin lifts a single shoulder. “Don’t make a big deal out of it, El.”
“I won’t have to,” Eloise says. “Because your brother will. Marcel is gonna be pissed.”
“Marcel is pretty.” I smile as I plop down into a chair, my lips curling when I add, “I like him.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ifucked up. I should have known not to shove Zoe in a car and send her home with people she doesn’t fucking know. Of course, she’s going to freak out in that situation. I wasn’t thinking. I was only acting, hyperfocused on getting her somewhere safe and going after the fucking assholes who seem to have a hard-on for shooting up whatever room she’s in.
When I heard the fear in her voice, though, my only thought was getting to her. I should have gotten into that car with her.
As I walk through the house, I can hear them in the kitchen. “Marcel is pretty.” Zoe says in a strange whispery voice. “I like him.”
I smile at her words as I follow the sound. It takes me two fucking seconds of looking at her and her bloodshot eyes to know why she’s sitting here with a look of wonder and peace on her face. Fucking Vin.
“What the fuck?” I ask.
“Marcel. It’s you.” Zoe jumps off the table she appears to have climbed on top of and runs towards me. My arms wrap around her as her hands roam all over my face. “I was worried about you,” she says.
“You were? You don’t need to worry about me, babe.” I lean forward and kiss her forehead.
“Mmm, I do. Because I like you and that means I have to worry,” she tells me. “Oh, cake! Did you bring cake?” Zoe looks up at me with hope twinkling in her eyes.
I turn to my younger brother. “I’m going to kill you,” I growl at him. “You got her fucking stoned?”
“Shhh. Don’t be mad at him. He’s my friend,” Zoe says.
“Vin is your friend? Since when?” I ask her.
“Since always.” Zoe presses her fingers to the crease between my eyebrows. “You shouldn’t frown so much. You’ll get wrinkles.”
“Zoe, you’re stoned.” I sigh.
“Is that why I feel so good? Mmm, I should have tried this years ago. You should try it too. Vin, share with your brother. He needs to relax,” Zoe says.
“Yeah, I’m fresh out, Z.” Vin smirks at me.
“Z?” I question.
“She’s gonna be my sister. I get to give her nicknames. Anyway, I’ve got shit to do. Try not to get shot,” Vin calls out before pivoting on his heel and making a quick escape.
