Page 4 of Vicious Hearts

“Actually, at the moment, they’re green,” I counter-correct her. “Like the green-eyed monster.”

We laugh together, the first laugh of the night as she takes my hand in hers and we lean into each other, offering comfort.

“He made you wear those silly contacts,” she mumbles, “When you have the most dazzling hazel eyes. I don’t know why anyone would want to hide them.”

“He made me cut my hair,” I remind her.

“And lose all that weight that made you beautiful, until you became skin and bones.”

We laugh some more.

“I don’t mind the clothes, though,” I tell her.

“There you go – one good thing that came out of him. He tapped into your sense of style, and you established and maintained it. He’s not still choosing your clothes, is he?”

“No. He stopped interfering when he realized I got the memo that he likes to see some skin.”

“Asshole,” she clips.

“Cheating asshole,” I add. “We hope karma gets you good.”

4

CALEPH

Dante folds me into a brotherly hug, then pulls away and holds me at arm’s length, searching my face.

“I didn’t think you’d come,” he tells me.

“It’s Durian. How could I not come?”

Dante’s wife clears her throat, reminding us that she’s still in the room. Dante moves her toward him and introduces us.

“My wife, Kingsley. This is my brother, Caleph.” She looks from me to Dante, giving him a confused look. She appears to rush through her mind to a conversation regarding a brother she’s forgotten about.

“Brother from another mother,” I say, helping her out. I know better than to offer her my hand. If the look on Dante’s face is anything to go by, I don’t think he’d appreciate anyone touching his wife, even if only a handshake.

“Caleph and I practically grew up together,” Dante explains, looking at his wife. She’s beautiful, but she belongs to Dante. I don’t go there. But I can’t help but watch the way their eyes find each other. I’ve never seen anything like it.

“Well, it looks like there’s plenty I still don’t know about my husband,” she says, smiling up at him as her arm snakes up his chest and settles there.

“It’s good to have you here,” Dante says, turning back to his father. “He’s been asking about you.”

We move to Durian’s bedside, watching him quietly as his chest rises and deflates with every unsteady breath he takes.

“What happened?” I ask him.

“Heart attack.”

“He’ll be okay?”

“The worst is over. He needs monitoring for a few days before they’ll discharge him.”

“The house is set up with everything he needs?” I don’t know how else I can help but to ensure the man has everything he needs.

“Of course,” Dante replies.

“He’ll be coming to stay with us,” Kingsley announces, stepping out of the corner of the room. So, she does have a voice. And he lets her use it. Maybe not as possessive as my mind accused him of being.

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