Page 221 of Hate Mates

I walk straight down the hall toward my sister’s room and, without knocking, enter, closing the door behind me.

“You could knock,” she says as I wave my hand dismissively through the air.

“I could, but I don’t. Tell me all you know about Cybil Maretti.”

“Why would you want to know about her?”

“Apparently, I’m to marry her.” My sister chokes on air as she looks over at me with wide eyes.

“Did you say no?”

“Of course, I said no. It’s not an option.”

“Jesus, Luc. You have to marry her? Like really?”

“Yes. Now tell me all you know about her so I can use it against her.”

“There’s not much to tell. From what I know, she’s pretty quiet and down to earth. Not many hate her the way we do,” she tells me. That’s not what I wanted to hear.

“That’s not helping me, Patty.”

“She likes black flowers. That’s weird, right?”

“Not considering who we are, no. You like black flowers,” I remind her. Patty’s shoulders droop as she looks to be thinking.

“There’s really nothing. What I know is she doesn’t like this life and doesn’t want to be a part of it.” Now I laugh.

“That’s too bad now, isn’t it? She’s set to be my wife.”

“I don’t know why this is happening. We hate them.”

“Apparently, father doesn’t hate them enough. But not to worry, little sister, I will make her life a living hell once she’s under this roof.”

“She has to live here?” She blanches.

“Where else would she live?” I ask her now.

“Shit, Luc. You’re going to have your hands full,” she giggles.

“No shit. Anything you can think of, let me know. I want to make sure this place is a living hell for her.” Patty nods her head as I move off the bed and back out of the room. I head back toward my room when I hear my father yelling once more. Not that I care, but if it’s business, I want to know what’s going on.

I walk back to his office and step inside to see him on the phone, his face reddened by the argument he’s caught up in.

“How can you be so sure?” He roars into the line. “Yes. I’ll get Luciano on it right now,” he yells, his eyes coming to meet mine. Hopefully this is a job for me to do and not have to worry over the mess with this girl.

“What is it?” I ask when he hangs up the phone.

“The girl, she’s missing.”

“What, girl?”

“Don’t be stupid, Luciano! Cybil is gone. Someone has taken her!”

“That’s actually perfect. I won’t have to marry then,” I muse.

“It isn’t perfect. That will leave us vulnerable, and you know it. You have to find her. You have to kill anyone who dares stand in the way of what we’re working for.” As serious as this may be, I want no part of it. I don’t want her. I hate her and all she stands for.

“Fine. What do we know?” I ask this time.

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