Page 49 of Vile Emotion
“So I’m on a very tight leash then, got it.”
Juliana slightly rolls her eyes and it doesn’t piss me off like it used to, I just find it amusing now. Her attitude is making her stronger and she’s standing up for herself more, good.
The only downside to this is… when will I let her go?
We exit out of the car and I walk her way to slip my hand into hers.
As we walk, there are flashing lights everywhere courtesy to the paparazzi trying to figure out how we’re both still able to stand by each other after what she did.
There are some trying to ask questions or flag us down but we continue until we’re inside of the grand hall.
“Welcome, Mr and Mrs Crowne, please follow me this way to your table.”
We reach our table where the mayor, his wife, and other members of parliament are sitting. We greet each other then I pull out Juliana’s chair. She sits and I tuck her chair in softly. There was a temptation to do it harshly but again, something is stopping me.
There are two empty chairs on the right of me but I don’t have to look up to know it’s Mia and Cassius now occupying them. He decided to take her as his date for this, for shits and giggles.
“Ricky, darling.” She practically moans out my name getting the attention of the entire table, Juliana included.
It used to be sexy to me but I don’t care for it much now.
“Mia,” I can’t help but smile when I see her.
She was my best friend before we dated and we did our best to restore the friendship after. It was hard but it was worth it.
She kisses both my cheeks and semi-glares at Juliana then catches herself because she notices I’m looking.
“Hello, Juli, nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from Ricky.”
Juliana barely smiles.
“Hello, I prefer Juliana. Hopefully good things?” She asks and she smiles this time.
“I said nothing.”
Juliana scoffs and gives her attention to the young judge Markem sitting next to her. Leaning into her ear, I whisper the last rule.
“Rule six, if any man tries to touch you like I did earlier, I will break his fucking arm and make sure everyone knows I did it because I’m a fucking crazy husband.”
Juliana sucks in a sharp breath and her skin flushes. My body is too close to hers and I can notice things I don’t need to notice. Clearing my throat, I sit back and both Cassius and Mia are giving me a look.
Two different looks but nonetheless, a look.
35
Alaric’s threat hasn’t left my mind nor has any of his rules. Tonight has been a nice change in pace with things because I’m not in the same prison with him as my warden but with each move I make, I feel his eyes on me.
Suddenly something catches my eye and when I turn my head. I see my parents staring at me and my siblings in shock that I’m here. My instincts kick in and I don’t think as I excuse myself, standing to practically rush over to them.
My eyes blink back tears as I hug my parents then my brother and finally, my sister. When I hug her, she holds me so tight that I feel like if I let go, it won’t be real anymore.
“My Ana,” she calls me a nickname that almost has me in tears but I have to school my features because I know my parents won’t approve.
This isn’t about coming out of jail or waiting to see her, but it’s because I haven’t seen Liliana for so long, I missed her so much. Edwin made me an outcast with my family and I allowed him but I should’ve known better. I should’ve done more.
“My Ana.” I say back to her.
A play on our names. Liliana and I were more than ten years apart but she is like my twin. Our brother Julian was neverjealous, instead he was just as close to us. My smile appears as he joins in our hug.
