Page 131 of Vicious Addictions

“My mistake,” I respond. “I must have mistaken one of your children with someone else.”

Yeah, like someone who gave a damn.

An hour later, Vincent and I are deep into our game in his study, with Jude, Giovanni, and Selene watching intently from the sidelines while Dominic entertains the rest of the kids in the living room. However, I’m unsure if that was the real reason or if he just didn’t trust Remus and Rolo being unsupervised with them.

A ghost of a smile crests my lips when I see Vincent make a rookie move.

“Checkmate.” I smile.

He studies the board and then picks up his whiskey tumbler to wash down his defeat.

“Victor was right. You do have a killer instinct.”

“He said that?” I ask, amazed my father would feel so comfortable with Vincent to be so free with his words.

“Are you surprised that he used such a description or that he used it with me?”

“Both, if I’m honest.”

Vincent smiles.

That’s another thing I picked up on—Vincent is more prone to smile when surrounded by his family.

“You forget that your father and I were close friends once.”

“Ididn’t forget,” I reply steadfastly.

Vincent takes another sip of his drink before placing it back on the coaster.

“Is that your subtle way of saying that I did?”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be subtle.”

I hear Giovanni chuckle at that.

Vincent looks equally amused.

“Friends fight. That doesn’t mean they stop being friends,” he states with a smile.

“Friends also apologize when they’ve acted poorly.”

“I’ve already forgiven Victor. There is no need for him to apologize.”

“I wasn’t talking about my father. I was talking about you.”

“Me?” he laughs. “What do I have to apologize for?”

I dart my gaze to a reticent Jude before focusing it on his father.

“Maybe you should ask your son.”

“I’m asking you,” Vicent orders sternly.

“Vincent… don’t,” Selene interrupts.

But Vincent only has to lift his open hand for her not to insist further.

“Tell me, Mina, what do I have to apologize for?”

---