Page 179 of Vicious Addictions

“Oh?” my father counters, confused. “Who are you marrying then?”

“Romano,” Remus answers on my behalf again.

“Jude proposed?” My father’s eyes light up with glee, not even sparing me another glance and looking straight at Remus for an answer.

“That I don’t know. But I very much doubt he went on one knee when she’s still wearing Felix’s rock on her finger.”

“Speaking of which,” I say, taking off my engagement ring and placing it inside my father’s hand. “Daddy, would you mind terribly giving this back to Felix? I’m going to need my ring finger for the one Jude will give me.”

Though, in all honesty, I couldn’t care less about a ring.

Those journals are worth more to me than any diamond he could ever buy.

“So Jude hasn’t proposed?” my father asks again, looking more confused by the minute.

“I think you better sit down, uncle,” Remus cautions. “You’re starting to look a little pale.”

“I believe you might be onto something, nephew. All this contradicting information is making me a little lightheaded.”

I help him onto the couch next to Remus and slap his feet from the coffee table so I can sit down in front of my father.

“I’m sorry that I’ve upset you,” I say, guilt starting to gnaw at me.

“I’m not upset, sweet pea, just confused.” He smiles sheepishly while patting my knee.

“I know this all sounds a bit mad, but all you need to know is that I’m happy, Daddy. Happier than I’ve been in a long time.”

His gray eyes soften as he leans in to grab my hands in his and give them a light squeeze.

“That’s all I ever wanted. Your happiness.” He smiles ear to ear. “So the lad finally got his head out of hisarse, is that right?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes.” I grin. “But I’ll have to return to Chicago again to dot a few i’s and cross a few t’s with Jude first.”

“I understand.” He nods. “And when are you leaving?”

“Now.” I throw in a cheeky grin, to which my father starts laughing away hysterically.

“Well then, I’m glad you took the time to pay me this quick visit. I know it hasn’t been even a fortnight that you’ve been away, but your old man missed seeing this pretty face around the house. That one and his brother, not so much,” he says after tilting his head towards Remus.

“Love you too, uncle.” Remus smirks.

“I’ll just have to go and get a few things and then we’ll be set to leave.”

“You do whatever you need to, sweet pea. Remus here will keep me company and tell me everything I missed at Marcello Romano’s initiation. I heard it was quite the spectacle.”

“It started weak, but it sure did end strong,” Remus explains, inching closer to my father to gossip some more.

I leave them to it and head out of the office to grab what I need, when I halt my step and turn around after I hear Remus say the most peculiar thing.

“So is it true? Is Vincent’s son not all there in the head?”

“Oh, he’s there. He’sallthere, uncle. And that’s what’s so fucking terrifying,” Remus explains almost apprehensively.

“Don’t tell me the young lad scared you?” my father teases playfully. “The mighty Remus Crane?”

“Let me put it this way, uncle, for you to understand. You know I don’t believe in all that God nonsense, right?”

“Do any of us Cranes?” My father chuckles.

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