Vicious Minds: Part 2 (Children of Vice 5)

“Gigi.”

She made a face.

I made one back.

“I messed up my dress,” she finally admitted with her head hung. “Papa got me a new one.”

“How did you mess it up?”

“Oh, quit questioning the girl.”

“Bisavolo!” Gigi grinned wide, turning back to my grandfather.

He laughed, reaching down and picking her up.

“Hello, little pet.” He tapped her nose. “Did you miss me?”

“Where did you go?”

“I had to check on everyone back home. Remember, Bisavola is sick,” he told her, pinching her cheeks.

She made and oh sound. “I’m sorry, Bisavolo.”

“Don’t worry, better days are ahead. Aren’t they Calli?” He looked at me.

However, I glanced over to Helen, who was adjusting the bottom of my dress. “Helen, we should get going. We don’t want to waste any more time. The faster we get this done, the sooner it’s over. God only knows what those people are doing out there.”

“Wyatt called you a witch because of this guest list.” She chuckled, handing me my bouquet of roses.

“Did he now?” My eyebrow lifted. “Any witch in particular?”

“Nope. He was too busy pointing out a guest eating our plants.”

I cringed, shaking my head in disgust as I smoothed out the silk of my gown. It took a lot of effort to get this white silk. I loved the mermaid fit. But it was very plain on the front. It was the back that was the most important—it was covered in jewels draped over my spine.

“Gigi, don’t forget your flowers,” I said, handing her the basket. “Remember what I said?”

“Not too fast,” she repeated. “Not ‘til we are outside.”

Helen took her hand to help walk forward, while my grandfather came over to me and offered his arm.

“Is this your way of telling me whose side you are on?” he whispered as they opened the doors and we walked out.

“Aren’t I at your side?” I whispered back.

“I asked for a body. You give me a wedding,” he muttered.

“You gave me a week,” I said as we made our way down the stairs.

“And your week ends today.”

I glanced at him. “Have I ever failed you?”

He looked back at me.

I just nodded.

He wanted a body.