Page 28 of When Sinners Dare

“It’s taken care of. Go tell Knox and find Shaw. We’re leaving in ten.”

“Will Lexi and Wren be there?” I ask.

“Yes.”

Shaking my head, I can’t deal with them being there. Not with what’s happened. Not after what I’ve done. “No. Not tonight. Please. We have family business to discuss, and I won’t do it with them present.” I hold his gaze and try to stand up to him.

He frowns. “Lexi is my wife. They are both part of this family.”

“No. You don’t get to do this. I want to talk to Knox and Shaw. We can drink. We can eat, but we do it as siblings only. For tonight.” Standing up to my brothers has always been a challenge, but it’s one I need to get better at. Still, I can see that frown deepen. “Please, Abel.”

~

There’s a back room at Bellini’s that’s ours for the night, and we file in and take a seat at the round table. The mood is appropriately sober – like a weight hanging over us. That might be my interpretation of the atmosphere, though, because it’s how I feel. It's like I’m waiting to announce a terrible wrong – telling the truth can feel like that. At least Abel listened to my words, and it’s only the family present. After everything today, I’d rather be anywhere else. But words need to be said.

Even at a round table, Abel manages to make his seat look like the head, and no sooner than we’ve all sat down, he stands, pushing himself up with his fists resting on the table.

“We’ve all known this day would come.” Knox scoffs at his words, but it doesn’t deter him. “She was the head of this family and raised the Cortez name. I have no intention of letting that legacy or name diminish. We – the people around this table – have been the force behind the business for years. And now we can rule unencumbered. The will won’t be a problem. All of her assets are in the family name.”

“And you’ve decided to take over?” Knox asks.

We all look around to him.

Abel just looks at him, his stare fixed. “The will, and my seniority say I’m already in charge. Do you have something you want to say?”

“Yeah. This family has unsettled business. We all know it. And isn’t it convenient that days after you dragged Mother off to who knows where she ends up dead?”

Shaw leans forward on his chair and looks skittish. “Easy, Knox.”

“No. Perhaps some of us are tired of having our decisions made for us.”

“Knox, you’re talking shit,” Dante joins in. “Let Abel speak.”

Abel sighs like his temper might just get the better of him. “The business will continue. We all know our place. Mariana’s venture will need to turn over fast before it will be in the black.”

“It will,” I add. I know my numbers. And there are more benefits than just the income. Abel knows that.

“Lexi and I will move into the family house.”

My eyes whip to his. “Sorry, what?”

“You heard.”

“Hold on, Abel.” I don’t want to swap one overbearing parent for another. Because living with Abel will be just as bad. And Lexi will see this as her being Queen.

That’s not happening.

“See, making decisions for the rest of us,” Knox jibes. “Just needed her out the way before you and your new bride could take over.”

“Leave it Knox,” Shaw says.

“Abel, that’s my home,” I state. “And, according to you and the rest of you around this table, it’s simply unsafe for me to move out.”

“There’s room for us all, Mariana.”

“And you’ve discussed this with Lexi?” He looks at me, and I can feel my rage building. “No. Screw this.” I stand, feeling the suffocating pressure start to build. Time for some home truths. “Abel, it’s my turn.” He doesn’t sit down. “The house will remain the family home, and any of you are free to have it when I’m free to move out. That’s point one.” My hand is up in the air, halting anyone from challenging me before I’m done. “Point two. I was with Mother earlier today.” I cast my eyes around my brothers, feeling the weight of their gaze on me. “We fought. Not unusual, but this was different. She was vicious. She fell in the kitchen and hit her head. And that’s … why she’s dead.” I hold my breath, keeping the nausea from rising as I let my brothers take it in.

My heart pounds in my chest, and my throat feels clogged as I wait for a reaction. It doesn’t come, other than shocked faces on Shaw and Knox, and my nerves force more words from my mouth. “I got scared and ran, so Abel made sure I was in the clear with this plan. So Knox, there is no fucking conspiracy with Abel. You two need to make good. We’re a family, and we don’t keep secrets.” There's so much more I want to say. Years of it in reality, but I sit.And wait.

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