Page 43 of Vicious Sentiments

“Katie’s dad was so embarrassing,” Marney says, continuing a conversation I wasn’t here for. “Like we are thirteen, not five.”

“When you get to be my age, you’ll wish you were five,” Margo says

“I doubt it.”

Margo hides a smile behind her cup and turns to Julian. “Shouldn’t you get going?”

“Almost.” He pushes his plate away and rummages in his pockets.

“These are for you.” He huddles over me and I try to choke down the massive bite of eggs I just shoved in my mouth.

He’s holding out a set of keys with a leather band. There’s two normal keys and then a shiny fob with buttons.

I look up to him in question.

“My house keys. You remember which one is mine, right?”

I nod, confused.

“And the key to the McLaren. It’s in the garage.” He pushes the set into my hand. “I shouldn’t be gone more than three days.”

I glance around, unsure what he’s getting at, but only Cape is looking at me, his food abandoned and an arm slung over the back of the barstool.

“Um?”

He leans in, attempting a whisper but I’m sure everyone can hear him. “If you get scared or if something happens, you can go to my house. And if you need anything, you have the car. And, oh.” He shifts and pulls out his wallet.

He slips out a card and then the whole wad of cash, pushing it into my other hand. “That should be good but if not you can text me.” His brows furrow. “We have to set you up with a Venmo or bank account or something.”

“But…” I stand there, dumbfounded, and blurt the only excuse I can think of. “I don’t have a license.”

“I don’t care. If you need to use the car, use it.” His tone is firm.

“But where are you going?”

“El Cuco,” he grits his teeth when he says it. “Apparently I doeverything now.” He throws a side eye at Cape, who doesn’t even flinch. “But three days, max. And we’ll get you a license when I get back. I’ll set the appointment on the flight.”

“Am I chop liver?” Margo scoffs. “I think I kept you boys alive didn’t I? She’ll be fine.”

“She’s my responsibility, Ma.”

Margo puts a hand up to fend off his sharp tone.

“Are you going to be okay?” Julian leans down, grabbing my chin and searching my eyes. I go a little weak in the knees as I get lost in the honey brown color but I try to blink it away.

I don’t know what he’s expecting these three days to be like. I’ve gone seventeen years without a car, a wad of cash, or a modern mansion on the beach. He could drop me off at a gas station and I would be fine till he got back.

I just nod, noting the worry in his eyes. I don’t think I should mess with him right now.

“Good. Now remember what I said last night?” He straightens and puts his wallet back in his pocket.

I wrack my brain. That both him and his brother will make me cum? That’s the only thing that comes to mind and my cheeks heat. I quickly cast my head down.

“To not be afraid of Cape,” he clarifies when I don’t answer and then glowers across the island.

“Her funeral,” Cape says, and I can’t help but snap my head up and shoot daggers at him.

“Jesus, don’t talk about funerals when your brother is about to board a plane.” Margo slams her coffee onto the counter.

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