Vicious Minds: Part 2 (Children of Vice 5)

I glanced in the corner at my grandfather.

“I said I didn’t know.”

“Bullshit. You aren’t just anyone. For them to hurt you this badly, they must be professionals.” He turned over to my grandfather. “Who is after her?”

“I’ll let you two have some privacy—”

“You are in my bedroom. All walls of privacy have been broken already. So, tell me. And do not take me for a fool. I know who you are and what you do…what you both have

done in the past,” he said, looking at me now. “So, who the fuck did this?”

“It’s not our people or me,” I whispered. “Let’s talk in private.”

“Not one of your people.” He let go of my arm, watching me. “So, it’s two of mine. But I do not have enemies as strong or bold enough to try this.”

I said nothing, knowing he now understood.

He clenched his fist. He dropped his head, swallowing hard before relaxing. Inhaling and exhaling once, he lifted his head and faced my grandfather. “Mr. Orsini, exactly how much does it cost to employ your services?”

His eyebrow raised. “My services?”

“Should I ask Calliope about i Libitinarii?”

“Fine.” My grandfather stepped forward. “Who is it you are looking to put into a grave, Mr. Callahan?”

“Liam and Melody Callahan.”

“Your parents?” He chuckled. “Don’t they already have graves?—”

“Grandpa,” I said, seriously glaring at him.

The smile of his face faded, and he stood straighter…chest to chest with Ethan. “You sure about this?”

“They attacked my wife. My people. My house,” he hissed. “I don’t care what their reasons are. No more mercy, no more patience. So, name your fucking price so we can get back to our goddamn wedding.”

“No charge. After all, she is my granddaughter,” he said, smiling at me. “And I’d like her to stay alive. So, please do better next time.”

I grabbed Ethan’s arm.

“Your invitation has expired, Grandfather. You should go.”

He nodded and stepped forward, but because he could not help himself, he turned back just to say, “Oh, right—I’m sorry for your loss.”

Ethan stood like he was crafted from ice.

It was only when the doors closed that he let out the breath he was holding. Pushing him back, I helped him sit on the bed. He sat there silently for almost a minute before finally speaking.

“I knew,” he whispered, clenching his fist. “I knew when my father came to me, tried to convince me that they wouldn’t just trust me. That they would stop at nothing. Their way is always right. Their methods are always right. I’m the child. They are the parents. So when I say I know what I am doing, they ignore me. And go ahead with this…this clusterfuck of a half-ass plan. Fucking idiots! Senile, no good, fuckers!”

“Ethan—”

“They still think they are twenty-six-year-olds—that they are the smartest people in the room. Other parents retire to a beach in Florida. Mine? They bloody break into my house during my wedding and try to murder my wife, with the whole world in the backyard! Why? Because they are Liam and Melody Callahan, and of course, they can. Zugzwang? I forgot. If any possible move worsens their position, then they will just bomb the whole goddamn table and see what pieces are left.”

“Ethan—”

“They fucked up. Their plan fucked up and now my aunt is dead, and, like snakes, they slithered back underground—”

“Ethan! I have maybe two hours before I bleed through this dress!” Wincing at how loud I was, he looked over my shoulder. Grabbing his face, I held it close to mine. “I will listen to you vent and scream as long as you like. But that is going to have to come after we save the rest of our wedding night. Okay? Put the masks back on.”