Page 87 of King of Wrath

He called Mike so that it looks like a call between cousins, just in case anyone is checking.

“You really think so?” I bite my lip, fiddling with the hem of my shirt before drawing my knees up. “Because I’m not sure I can be in another family where I’m the outsider, you know?”

“Who says you were the outsider? Toni was the outsider. Me, the aunts, the Andrianis, we have always been your family, not his. The only people he got were the Vendettis and that’s because they are psychos.”

I smile despite myself. “You mean that?”

“I mean it,” she answers softly. “Now, give me a few tips on getting Mike to propose.”

“You don’t want a bigger fish?” I whisper darting my eyes to make sure no one is listening.

“No,” Jess says back, quiet too. “I’m good with the fish who breaks down the door and literally carries me to safety.”

I nip at my lip. “Well, your blowjobs have gotten you this far.”

She laughs. “Word.”

A small silence settles between us. “I wish I could hug you.”

“Me too. I wish I could see you or at least tell you where I am, but Mike told me not to say on the phone.”

“I totally understand, I know we’re leaving today, but I don’t even know where.”

Jess sighs. “Think we’ll get to see each other soon?”

“I hope so,” I answer. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

“I love you, Jess. Thanks for always being there.”

“I love you too. And ditto. I can’t wait to get to live a real life together, instead of that lie.”

I did not give my sister enough credit. “Me too. Take care, okay?”

“I will. You too.”

I nod, then I realize she can’t see me. “I will. Talk soon.”

We hang up and I sit there for a while, staring at Roman’s phone. My head is full, I guess.

“Done?” Jake calls from the doorway. I have no idea how much time has passed, but I was totally lost in thought. “Yes. Tell Roman thank you for helping me make the call.”

“You can tell him yourself,” Jake replies as he turns back toward the stairs. “We’re ready!”

Roman and Luke appear thirty seconds later with our suitcases in hand.

I push up from the chair giving Roman his phone back. “Thanks for that.”

“You’re welcome,” he answers, not meeting my eyes.

I nip at my lip, knowing that I misjudged my sister the way Roman did me. “I get why you don’t like me.”

His gaze snaps to mine. “I like you a lot, Nia.”

My brow furrows. “What?”

“The mistake was mine, and it was a matter of not knowing you,” he says with a shrug. “I’m sorry for what I texted, for what I started. It won’t happen again.”

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