Page 58 of Vicious Sentiments

Dillon is standing in the way, a look of disgust on his face when he flicks his eyes to mine.

“Problem, bro?” Cape says.

“I thought she was with Julian.”

A bit of shame washes over me, killing my satisfaction and suddenly I feel so stupid. WhatamI doing? I’m not in any position to wrangletwoolder men. I barely know if I would feel comfortable getting what I want from one of them.

It just feels so nice and there’s something comforting about Cape, like he knows the darkness. I bite my lip. I blame Julian for taunting me with the idea of both of them.

“Jealous?” Cape’s voice is mocking, not hostile like his body feels.

“You guys are sick.”

Cape laughs. “Yeah, so is fucking the housewives of Beverly Hills. Get over yourself.”

Dillon’s eyes widen before narrowing. I guess he didn’t expect Cape to know his dirty little secret.

“At least, they’re legal,” Dillon spits.

“Since when do we give a fuck about what’s legal?” Cape’s tone takes on a harsh edge.

“I thought better than anyone you would get what breaking the lawcauses.”

Oh, no. Even in my short time here, I know that it’s not a good idea to bring up Madison.

“What’s your problem?” Cape lunges forward even though he’s still holding me.

Dillon steps back, opening his mouth but Cape cuts him off.

“You need to keep your fucking mouth shut. Unless you don’t appreciate living here, reaping the benefits of breaking thelaw.”Cape hoists me higher and then steps around Dillon, shoulder slamming him as he does.

I unfortunately turn my head back around and see Dillon’s face as Cape walks us away. It’s not the look of family animosity that will be forgotten tomorrow, it’s the look of contempt and promised vengeance. I turn my cheek into Cape’s neck to get away from it.

Chapter Thirty-One

At dinner, Margo eyes my hands but doesn’t say anything. I can tell that Marney is dying to know but even she keeps her questions to herself. Which makes me wonder what gossip went around the Rossi grapevine.

Both Cape and Dillon are absent and I try to not let it concern me. They are both adults, but I hope they aren’t off breaking each other’s faces. Though, I think Dillon would be the only one with a broken face in that fight.

“Cape always used to dress up for Halloween,” Marney whines to Margo. “Madison was really good with special effects.” She looks at me. “She taught me some. Will you let me try it on you?”

I nod, surprised that she’s brought up Madison.

“I think he should still have the party,” she says to Margo.

“I don’t know if he’s feeling up to it this year.”

Marney pouts and aims her attention back on me. “Cape has the top floor in a building in the city. He used to throw a Halloween party every year and everyone would be super dressed up.”

“That sounds like fun,” I say.

“It was. Way better than going trick or treating.” She frowns. “But he hasn’t done it since Madison died.”

“So he has his own place?” I ask because I feel like he spends all his time here.

Margo is the one to answer. “Oh, yeah. Real nice but now it just sits there it seems.”

When I look confused, she elaborates. “I think it reminds him too much of Madison.”

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