Page 25 of Pretty Monsters

"Yeah, no," Lucien argues.

I realize he hasn't been paying much attention to her. If he had, he'd see her digging in for a fight by the straightening of her spine and the way her shoulders roll back.

"Are you saying you won't be able to do a good job if you sleep on the floor, big brother?"

His face relaxes, believing she's coming to understand his position, when in reality she's got him by the balls.

"Exactly. How am I supposed to be able to respond to a threat if my back goes out from sleeping on the floor?"

She cocks her head to the side, and I see she's about to deliver her blow. "So, you're saying we aren't in any danger here?"

His brow furrows in confusion. "Of course you are. Father isn't going to stop looking for you. That's why Sin is going to stay with you while I work."

She smiles and reminds me of a predator ready to strike. "How will Sin protect me if his back goes out?"

"Shit," he mutters.

I slap him on the back. "Yeah, I saw that one coming. It's a good thing I'm here with her, because she ran circles around you just then."

"Fuck you," he says and shoves me. It's our form of a hug. He knows he's lost and can't come up with a workable solution.

"I guess we have to share," he continues.

"Follow me," Raven chirps, and like trained puppies we do as she says.

Inside the bedroom we stand in front of a tiny ass bed. "Is this really a full?" I ask.

"Mhmm," she hums. "Go on, both of you lay down."

Humoring her, we both climb onto the bed. It's awkward as hell, but it proves how much he doesn't want me sleeping with her that he's willing to get this up close and personal.

Flopping around we try and get into a position where we fit, but the only way to do that is to spoon. The moment he slides up behind me, sweat breaks out on my forehead. My breathing turns shallow, and the sense of danger brings me near panic.

"Lucien, move right now," she says in an overly calm tone.

I feel the bed jostle, then I'm alone.

"Fuck," he mutters.

"Well, that won't work," she says to herself. "Well, big bro, I can sleep with you or with him."

"I guess you'll sleep with me," he gives in.

The urge to flee is overwhelming, and I practically launch off the bed. "Great, that's settled. Since you're here, I'm going to go out for a bit."

"Where are you going?" I hear Raven ask, but I'm beyond answering.

"Let him go Raven," Lucien advises.

Yes, please. Let me go.

10

Distraction

Sin

As the sunbegins to dip below the horizon, the neighborhood changes. During the day it is filled with working class people moving from one job to the next. An entire different workforce comes out when the sun goes down. Their hustles are more illegal, and often achieved or maintained through violence. In short, these are my people.

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