Page 51 of Driftwood Daffodil
“Why not?”
“Umm,” I hummed, “he’s in jail.
Now she was really interested.
Sutton shifted in the pew so her entire body was facing me.
Maybe she thought she could save his soul or something. She seemed like the kind of person who would get pumped about something like that.
“What did he do?”
“Oh, um…” I rubbed my hand down the back of my neck and softly said, “he kind of murdered Atlas Mancini.”
Just when I didn’t think her eyes could get any wider, those blue orbs rounded to the size of saucers. “He killed him?”
“Little bit.” I nodded.
Kato had good reason, not that I could tell her that. What happened to Veda was nobody’s business. Talking about it only made me feel like I was re victimizing her. My sister shouldn’t be defined by the horrible thing that happened to her. I didn’t want her to be the girl that had her rapist’ baby, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to contribute to that name tag.
I kept waiting for Sutton to get mad, or slap me and join in with the rest of the hate Nova crowd. But she didn’t.
The only thing she did was turn back to the crucifix and say, “I hope your brother finds salvation.”
It was weird not being judged, yet being judged. I didn’t quite know how to take that. Did I say thank you? Did I get up and storm out, or hug her? I was so confused. Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to do anything.
The door swung open before a single word could leave my mouth.
My heart dropped the second I turned around. Strutting in the chapel were Atlee, his friend Darry I think, and in the lead was Gio. I didn’t need to read the smirk on Atlee’s face to know that this wasn’t a friendly meeting. The dark intent was written all over Gio’s face.
His eyes locked on mine, causing a lump to form in my throat. “Did you think you could hide from me?”
That was the intention.
“I don’t know if you know this but you’re on holy ground.” I rested my elbow on the back of the pew and dropped my chin into my palm. “You might want to leave before you catch fire or something.”
“I hope you enjoyed your little victory…”
I did. I really, really did.
“Because you're about to regret it.”
“You listen here Gio Mancini,” Sutton stood up and waved her finger, “this is the house of the Lord and you will not pick on anyone in this sanctimonious place.”
I didn’t know if she was brave or stupid. If I had to pick one I’d say stupid. Gio was huge, his friends were huge, and all their egos were huge. Sutton was the same size as me. This was like an ant telling the cat to fuck off. It just didn’t work.
Proof of which came when Atlee’s lips curled. “Well, if it isn’t St. Agatha’s self-appointed preacher. Who are you trying to save today, Sutton?”
“You should take a good look at yourself, Atlee Fiore,” Sutton’s eyes narrowed into slits. “God will judge you in the afterlife.”
Atlee shot her a wink, that was way too seductive for this scenario, “Don’t worry Powder Puff, I already know I’m damned.”
As much as I would’ve loved to sit back and enjoy the show – who didn’t like a good girl, bad boy argument – Gio wasn’t letting that happen.
He walked up next to me and slammed his hands down. One on the pew in front of me and the other on the back of the one I was sitting in, effectively caging Sutton and I in.
“You made a mistake coming back here.”
“This is my first time in here. Sotechnically,” I rolled my eyes, “I can’t come back until I leave.”
