Page 128 of Vicious Sentiments

I cringe. It’s so obvious that I peek from under my hair to see if Julian is seeing what I’m seeing. He gives me the tiniest of nods and clenches his jaw.

“No offense, Dillon, but I think you should probably sit this family meeting out.” Julian says, leaning forward. “You’re dealing with a lotright now and you don’t need to worry yourself with business affairs.”

The smooth way he says this almost has me believing that his excuse to get Dillon out of the room is the only reason, and not so he can bring up what I told him.

“Yeah, don’t you have a puppy to torture somewhere?” Cape says, and Julian’s placid words are quickly erased.

“God damn it! What did I just say?” Margo smacks a hand on the table, and I jump.

Dillon doesn’t flinch and instead scoots his chair closer to Margo, sudden energy in his movements, and leans in her ear.

“You see?” he whispers but loud enough for everyone to hear. “You see how they treat me? They aren’t the golden boys you think they are. They’re threatened by me.”

I bite my tongue at what he’s saying. He’s delusional. I don’t think Cape or Julian could ever be threatened by anyone.

“He’s off his rocker, Ma…” Cape drawls and is surprisingly still calm. “Are you really going to sit there and defend him?”

“Caperson,” She warns and scoots a bit away from Dillon.

Dillon scoots with her in a desperate motion. “You see it right?” He shoots a glare at Cape. “They are trying to make me out as crazy because they can’t accept what we have.”

Margo squeezes her eyes shut and clasps her shawl together. “Dillon…” She shakes her head, and I can see how pained she is.

“What the fuck do you mean ‘what you have’?” Cape’s voice raises and he stands. This time Julian doesn’t stop him. “Are you really that fucked up in the head that you think—”

“I don’tthink.I know,” Dillon snaps. “She keeps it a secret because she knows you two wouldn’t approve, because you’re children that can’t share and you have her wrapped around your fingers, keeping her in this blood sucking business, getting people killed, getting my sister hurt.”

Now, I’m positive that he’s delusional because Cape and Julian have no problem sharing. They share me just fine.

“Ma.” Cape is trembling with barely contained rage. “I’m going to fucking kill him if you don’t acknowledge what is happening right in front of you.”

“See?” Dillon seethes. “He wants to kill me!” He turns his chair to face Margo, who is blinking rapidly, and I can tell she can’t think of a way to stop what’s happening.

“Don’t you see?” Dillon pleads. “They want me out of the picture so you can’t be happy. They see how much you love me and if you just tell them how you feel then we can be together and there won’t be any more accidents or deaths or police.”

The air is caught in my chest as I watch him unravel before me but I’m frozen to my seat, unable to run away even though I know that Cape is a second away from snapping Dillon’s wrists for clasping Margo’s hands.

Julian slowly stands like he knows things are about to go sideways, and my stomach twists.

“Margo, please.” Dillon pushes his chair back and gets on his knees as he grips her hand.

The only reason I can think that Cape hasn’t lunged yet is because he must be just as shocked by Dillon’s display as I am.

“Please,” Dillon sobs and tears flow down his red face. “I love you.”

Margo takes a shaky breath but keeps her chin up. “Stop this right now, Dillon. You know this is inappropriate.”

“But you love me,” he whines and chokes. “Everything else doesn’t matter. I know you love me and I need you right now, please. I know you love me.”

“Not like that.” Margo clears her throat as her cheeks redden in embarrassment.

“Iknowyou love me,” Dillon’s voice turns hard and he lets go of herhand to pound the floor. His knuckles crack on the marble, and I wince.

The sound seems to shake Cape and Julian out of their stupor and they both take a side of the table, advancing towards Dillon.

But it’s not fast enough, because Dillon quickly stands and grabs Margo’s head. He presses his face to hers and it takes me a moment to register what he is doing because I can’t believe it.

He mashes his lips to hers, and she makes a muffled shriek. She pushes against him with her one good arm, but he doesn’t let go, continuing to kiss her with desperation and force.

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