Page 30 of Death Of A Sinner

“No.” Vin shakes his head.

“Pity. Would have been fun.” I smile at him.

“You’re a little crazy, you know that?”

“I know. It’s the best way to be,” I say.

“Yeah, it is.”

“So, why is everyone so scared of you guys? I don’t get it. You don’t seem that scary.” There are rumours all over town, everyone talking about the big bad De Bellis brothers and how ruthless they are. But I’ve just had dinner with them, and they don’t bother me none.

“You will never find out. We don’t hurt little girls.” Vin smirks at me.

“Who you calling a little girl?” I snarl at him. “I am not a little girl.”

“If you say so.” He laughs and pushes to his feet. “I think this big brother thing isn’t as bad as I thought it’d be,” he comments as he holds out a hand to me.

“Shut up.” I push his arm aside.

“It’s dessert time. Aria always says it’s the best part of the meal. And she’s right. You do not want to miss the dessert,” Vin says.

I follow him back into the house, and everyone stops talking and starts staring at us. “What?”

“You supply her with weed again, and I’ll make sureyour supplyis cut off forever,” Gio snaps.

I turn to Vin. “Wait? You have weed? And you didn’t tell me? Rude.”

“I’m not a sharer.” He shrugs.

“Siblings are meant to share,” I counter as I reclaim my seat at the dinner table. My mum and dad are still staring at me.I had one puff. It’s not a big fucking deal.

“Okay, dessert. Let’s eat cake!” Aria calls out. She seems a little preppy and uptight, but I think I like her. She has kind eyes.

“I’ll be back.” Cammi stands, and Vin follows her.

“Is she okay?” I ask, watching them go.

“She’s fine,” Gio says. He’s the oldest and probably the biggest asshole. Although, when he looks at me, his face softens ever so slightly and he doesn’t seem so uptight anymore. I can see why these men are married. They’re not hard on the eyes. In a non-incest kind of way.

“So, what’s next? Christmases together? Easter?” I ask.

“Whatever you want,” Gio says. “We want to get to know you, Esther. You’re our sister. That’s not something we’re just going to forget.”

“Okay, so does this mean I get in on family secrets? Like, the actual family business?” I try my luck.

“We own a distillery. I’d be happy to take you out there and show you around,” Gabe offers.

“Sure. Do I get to do a tasting?”

“No,” my dad and Gio say at the same time.

“You know I’m gonna be eighteen soon.”

“But you’re not there yet,” Dad tells me.

“I can’t wait. I’m going to party so hard and no one will be able to stop me.” I grin.

“Yeah? Let me know how that works out for you, Esther.” Dad shakes his head.

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