Page 38 of Vicious Games

Yep. This is officially the worst day of my life.

“You must be Frances,” my mother says, her tone warm, her expression doting. “I’m Selene Romano, Luciano’s mother.”

Frankie straightens, her smile returning—fake as hell. “How do you do, Mrs. Romano?”

Huh.

I guess she does have manners when she wants to.

“I asked Lucky to invite you over for dinner on Friday,” my mother continues, “but he told me you had to decline due to previous commitments.”

Frankie immediately shoots me a look, eyes narrowing, and all I can do is lower my head.

What else was I supposed to say?

Tell my helicopter mom that she flat-out rejected the invitation?

Yeah, right. Like that would’ve gone over so well.

“I was hoping, instead, that you might join us for lunch today,” my mother offers.

Before Frankie can respond, reinforcements arrive in the form of Sister Agnes and Sister Margaretta.

“What’s this now?” Sister Margaretta asks, eyeing the group with suspicion. “A lunch invitation to the Romano house?”

“Yes, Sister,” Frankie replies smoothly. “However, I was just about to explain to Mrs. Romano that I’m needed back at the orphanage to help with lunch preparations.”

“Oh, I think one day off won’t be too much trouble,” Sister Agnes says, ever the peacemaker. “Besides, I think it would be wonderful for you to get to know Luciano’s family. Maybe then you’ll think twice before punching someone.”

The air grows thick with tension as the reminder of how our lives became intertwined hangs heavily between us. My mother, Sister Margaretta, and Frankie are all visibly stiffened at the not-so-subtle mention of the incident.

“I really don’t want to impose,” Frankie tries again, clearly grasping for an out.

She wants to have lunch with my family about as much as I want a bullet to the head.

“You won’t be imposing,” my mother says with one of her signature winning smiles.

Say what you want about Selene Romano—and trust me, plenty of people have plenty to say about the Red Queen—but when she wants something, she gets it.

Even if what she wants is about to ruin my entire fucking Sunday.

“Go, Frankie,” Sister Agnes encourages. “You never know. You might actually have some fun.”

With two women tag-teaming her from all sides, Frankie has no choice but to nod, her smile as forced as mine.

She looks just as defeated as I feel.

Huh?

I guess we just found common ground on something.

Neither one of us wants to spend any more time with the other than absolutely necessary.

Go figure.

Chapter 6

Frances

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