Vicious Minds: Part 2 (Children of Vice 5)

She rolled her eyes, elbowing me. “You really don’t like new people, do you?”

I shrugged. “New people come with new problems…and new dangers. I don’t like the idea of someone just waltzing in. Maybe I’m just overthinking. Maybe one day I will see her as family. But for now, she still needs to be watched. With clear eyes.”

I looked at my brother, and once again shook my head. Who was this man? Ethan was surrounded by people, strangers, and was making them laugh? He was able to joke with them? The fuck?

“Just be careful. Don’t be around her alone for now.”

“And if she asks to see me?”

“Call me.”

She giggled, bumping back into my shoulder. “Are you going to rush in and fight her for me?”

“If I have to,” I snickered, bumping back into her shoulder.

“Hey, supporting character.”

“Huh?” I turned back to see my Uncle Declan holding up bright pink latex gloves for me. “What did you call me?”

“Supporting character,” he repeated, tossing the gloves at my head, but I caught them. “As in one whom this story is not mainly about. As in Ethan and his woman can sit out from this little charity project, but the rest of us still have to finish here. There are dishes in the back that need your attention more than my daughter’s shoulder.”

“Uncle, you can’t be serious—”

“Dead serious. Move it. And no, you cannot help him.” He pointed at Helen. “We are finished. Your mother wants to go on a family outing before your brother moves out tomorrow.”

“I am family,” I argued.

“Immediate family.”

“Future son-in-law is—watch the face!” I flinched away as he raised his hand to smack me, unable to stop smiling. I backed up, holding my gloves. “Thank you. Your daughter loves this face.”

“Do you wish to die?”

“For your daughter's hand?” I asked, still backing away. “It would be an honor.”

Helen just laughed, shaking her head at me. I winked back.

“You little—”

“Okay, let’s not draw Ethan’s attention and ruin their work.” Aunt Coraline stepped between us. “Wyatt.”

“Going.” I smiled toward the kitchen.

When I glanced back over at Helen, I smirked until I saw that same smirk on Ethan’s face as he glanced at Calliope. It was brief, but by luck, I’d caught it. When I looked again, it was gone. But I was sure I’d seen it.

Ethan…Ethan was really in love…with her?

Had he always been? Was it new?

No, not possible?

My gaze shifted to the woman beside him, only to see her staring back at me. Her gray eyes like ice. All of a sudden, she looked away, and that fake smile was plastered to her lips.

Ethan…I pray to God, you know what you are doing.

Something wasn’t right about her.

CALLIOPE