Page 7 of Kingmakers, Year One

All the adults at the table are exchanging guilty glances, even my grandparents.

And then, with a jolt, I understand…

They’re remembering all the waystheyfucked up.

All the reasons we’re in this mess in the first place.

And even if they’re right that Leo can be just a little bit reckless…

I’m not going to let them gang up on him. Not on Christmas Eve. Not even my dad.

So, I grab Leo’s hand beneath the table and squeeze it hard. My voice cuts across the room, high and clear.

“You’re all afraid because you remember the scars from the bad decisions you made when you were younger…” Some of those scars are literal, like the six bullet wounds on Uncle Nero’s back. I stare him right in the eye, and Uncle Seb, too. “Leo’s eighteen. Where are his scars? He doesn’t have any because he knows what he’s doing! He makes good choices. He’s the most popular kid at our school; everyone loves him. Maybe he’ll mend things with Dean!” I’m becoming reckless, but I don’t care because I believe it as I say it. I believe in Leo. “He’ll figure out a way to fix it—I’ve seen him do incredible things. You should trust him.“

Leo stares at me, open mouthed. For once, he’s speechless.

I am, too.

I don’t think I’ve ever talked that much at once at a family gathering.

It’s received with the usual dignity.

Marshall Boone rolls his eyes. “When it comes to Leo, Anna’s never biased.”

Creed Boone reminds me, “You slept with Sailor Moon sheets until you were fourteen years old.”

Did I think I loved these people?

Now I’m understanding why so many murders happen around the holidays.

It doesn’t matter. Leo gives me a grin that makes it all worth it, squeezing my hand and mouthing,Thank you,before letting go.

“Besides,” he says to his dad, reclaiming his confidence, “Dean can’tactuallykill me. They’re pretty strict about that whole eye-for-an-eye murder rule.”

“You’re saying if he kills you, they’ll kill him back?” Uncle Seb snorts. “Never go to war with someone who has nothing to lose.”

“Don’t be simple,” Nero snaps. “There’s plenty of ways to get away with murder…”

Leo better hope Uncle Nero doesn’t think of one later tonight if he’s still sore about that snippy comment.

Aunt Aida’s finally ready to lighten the mood. “Do we have to wait for pie?”

“I’m only here for pie,” Marshall Boone says, seizing a stack of plates. What do you know—pie is what it takes to get Marshall to be helpful.

I gather the glasses, threading them through my fingers like the stems of a bouquet. Leo rises to do the same.

My head feels light and floating, full of bubbles. I drank two of those glasses of champagne, and now I’m wondering if Leo might like to come look at the snow with me again, now that the moon is out…

He pauses in the doorway, his fingertips resting on my hip.

“Did you want to tell me something earlier?

“What?” I say, heat in my face.

“Earlier…” Leo looks in my eyes, his golden and close. “I thought maybe you wanted to tell me something.”

The moment resurfaces, the whisper in my head…Tell him…

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