Page 7 of Venomous Vows

“So, your dad lost his shit after she died.”

I look up at him, unable to hide the fact that I’m equally disappointed and saddened that he’s not the same man who raised me. “I think he died, too.”

Zane stares back at me, and for a moment, I see Adrian. They share the same soft green eyes, but each brother’s used to glimmer with something different.

Zane’s were always lucid and free.

And Adrian’s were constantly marred with intimidation and something inhuman about him.

Talk about them being cut from a different cloth. For the longest time, I used to think they weren’t real brothers, that one was adopted. Even mentioned it to Adrian once when he blasted me with the hose when all I was doing was walking up the driveway to my house.

I hated him.

And I was enthralled by him.

Adrian was unlike anyone I had ever met before and he was intriguing, to say the least.

From afar.

“Have they sent proof that she’s still alive?” Zane asks the important questions while I’ve been a hot mess in sweats and a baggy T-shirt.

The answer to that isno.

And I never thought to ask.

I guess I didn’t want that supposed reality in my head because what if she wasn’t?

Zane doesn’t make me answer, taking my silence for what it’s worth. “I don’t know how involved we can get. But I can promise you that I’ll see if there’s a way.”

“You will?” He gives me a curt nod. “Oh my God, Zane…thank you so much.”

He doesn’t offer me a glint of that boy I used to spend all my time with when we were kids and holds a stoic gaze on me. “You know that you’re working with the mob, right? And this is a favor?”

I did.

However, the wordfavordoesn’t hold a lot of appeal. But if it’ll get my sister back, I’ll do whatever it is they ask me to do, except?—

“Will I have to do something illegal?” I blurt, not sure if I’d be cut out for something like that, for one. And, two, I have a whole damn business that is in jeopardy. I can’t give that up.

“No,” he replies firmly. “I’d never make you do something like that.”

“But would your father?” I press. “I really don’t know all the specifics, Zane. And I don’t want to know. I’m treading lightly here and I didn’t know who else to call.”

He gives me a small smirk. “I’m glad it was me. I always did tell you to call if you needed something.” I try to return his smilebut fall short. “I do appreciate the Christmas card you send every year. Can’t say that I know many people who still do that.”

“It’s a dying art.”

“I don’t see why. Hallmark has been in business too long with their ten-dollar birthday cards that aren’t even that funny.”

I know that Zane is trying to lighten the mood and I appreciate it.

Yet, I can’t seem to yank myself out of the idea of that favor because I don’t want to end up like my dad.

“When’s the last time you bought a card?” I quiz. “I don’t think you ever bought me one.”

“Because cards are lame and everyone just wants the present. I know I do.”

“That’s because you’re spoiled rotten.”

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