Page 50 of Vile Emotion
“My Anas.”
This is what breaks the dam as I bury my face in between them and tears fall. I don’t want anyone to see me crying on the front page tomorrow but I know my siblings wouldn’t give me up for anything.
“You need a moment?” Liliana asks me.
“Yes, but don’t worry, I can fix myself before my husband walks over and thinks something is wrong.”
Even though I don’t want to play that card, I know that I have to pretend to be the wife that fell in love despite the crime that I committed against Alaric’s family.
“Let’s move without anyone spotting us, yeah?” Julian offers and he does it so effortlessly that no one can say that there’s anything wrong.
My parents haven’t acknowledged or addressed me and I know they won’t so for now, I’ll just pretend I’m not fazed at all.
Once we found a quiet spot near the foyer and some seats, we sit. Julian, being my irish twin that he is, he kneels before me and wipes away my tears.
My eyes land on his soft brown ones and I almost cry again.
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, Jules. We never thought we’d see you again.”
This strikes me in the heart.
“Why didn’t you come see me when I was locked up?”
I hate the vulnerability in my voice and my body but I have to ask them. I look up at my sister as well.
“We tried but we were blocked from visiting you. We sent you letters but that was a bust and then when you came out, we found out from the news.”
“You married him?” Liliana asks after remaining quiet for so long. “How could you?”
“Lili…” my words get caught in my throat.
“You killed his pregnant wife and child. How can he be around you and you around him without you suffering from that? Juli, that’s not normal.” she shakes her head as her light brown eyes shed tears that she wipes away.
“Is he hurting you?” Julian asks but I don’t look at him, I’m stuck on Liliana’s questions.
How do I tell them that I need to do this? That this is what has to happen to me? That I don’t deserve to ever be happy.
Julian uses a finger to make me look at him and I tilt my head.
“I can’t read you, Jules. I usually can but right now, you’re so closed off. Do you need us?” he whispers the last part.
“Let’s get some fresh air.” I suggest to them before they ask anything else or that I become stupid enough to leave the Crowne mansion.
Neither Julian or Liliana say anything but they do follow me outside. I stand there and let the light breeze hit my face as I shut my eyes.
“You’d tell us if you need us, right?” Liliana’s voice breaks through the quiet and before I can release a breath, I feel arms wrapping around me.
This doesn’t help my resolve, instead it increases the anxiousness inside of me. I am on high alert because I know who it is. I can recognize him by his cologne and how intoxicating it would be if we met under different circumstances.
My hair is pulled to the side and the lightness of his fingertips graze the skin on my naked neck. The feeling of soft yet full lips landing on the exposed apex between my shoulder and neck causes my ragged breath to escape my lips.
“Baby, I was looking everywhere for you. You know I miss you when you’re gone, even if it’s for a moment.” Alaric’s voice has this dangerous tone to it but I ignore what that could entail. “She has this thing now where she leaves the house for hours or goes on long runs just so I could miss her. Your sister is really good at playing games with me. It’s good to meet you guys and hopefully you’ll be in my corner now rather than hers.”
There’s a playfulness to Alaric’s voice and my eyes snap to his wondering if he knows… His eyes tell me that he knows and I was stupid enough to think because Mia was here that he wouldn’t notice me.
“I thought you were a little too busy for me, baby,” I throw the term back at him and he cocks his brow. “I wasn’t getting enough of your attention. I just wanted more.”
