The garden is filled with people, all dressed up for a summer party, and there’s staff moving through the groups serving drinks and canapes. There’s even a violinist playing in the middle of it all.
Dino is there too.
In a dark blue jacket and a light blue shirt and chinos, his red hair brushed back, his blue eyes the same color as his shirt. As soon as he sees us, his jaw clenches, making his dimple pop out. Then a dark look settles on his face and the dimple fades away.
Flashbacks of him covered in blood cloud my vision.
I focus on his now bluer-than-blue shirt.
Dino excuses himself from the group he was talking to and comes over.
Dino, you’re fucking alive, mate,” Lorcan says. He squeezes my hand, anchoring me to reality in another way.
“Fancy us having to drive all the way out here to see if you were,” Jude says, looking around, taking a mini slider from a passing tray and eating it.
“Duke, Marques, what do I owe the pleasure?” he asks, all smiles until his blue orbs, filled with black hate, fix on me, searing my damned soul to shreds. I can do nothing but stand there, gripping Lorcan’s hand.
And then….
He blinks, and just as quickly as it was there, the darkness in him is gone. The ends of his mouth curl up into an empty smile. Though, the smile falters slightly when Lorcan gives him a man hug.
“Come inside,” Dino says, his voice smooth, smile plastered on his face. “Let me get you a proper drink.” He walks through to the next room and we follow him. I can’t help but notice that he walks with a limp, though he makes every effort to hide it.
“Bourbon, if you have one,” Jude drawls.
“Ignore him, he’s driving. We’ll all have a soda.” Lorcan says, taking a seat at the breakfast bar. I join him in the seat next to Lor, only because he has my hand in an iron grip.
Dino pours our drinks and serves them, and then pours himself a large whiskey. There’s a slight tremor in his fingers as he grips the glass, leaning against the kitchen counter.
“So,” he says, taking us all in. “You’re all here? Why?” His gaze settles on me, and it’s not warm. It’s cold and almost calculating.
That makes everything turn fucking red across my vision. I blink several times, forcing it away.
“Why are we here? Have you heard yourself?” Jude exclaims. “I went to fucking juvie for you.”
“We’re just here to see how you are. Lola wouldn’t let us see you after…” Lorcan tails off.
“I’m fine. Still recovering, but I’m fine,” Dino says, running his hand through his hair. The look doesn’t suit him. In fact, the whole charade, his hair, his clothes, he looks like Kristian. “I’ll get over it,” he says acidly. “So will you,” he says to Jude, knocking back his drink.
Lorcan frowns. “Who are all these people? Why are they here?”
“Mostly family, friends of Kristian,” Dino snorts, not looking at Lor but directly at me.
Jude’s eyes narrow. “Are you taking the family business on now?”
“Someone has to,” Dino sneers. “Now I need to go. It was good to see you all.” He turns his attention to me. “Viola, try not to kill anyone.”
And then he leaves, grabbing the bottle of whisky on his way out.
I narrow my eyes at him as he goes.
Fuck all this pretending, playing nice.
“Let’s go. This is fucking pointless,” I mutter, getting off the stool but Lorcan won’t let go of my hand.
“Well, he’s evolved into a right cunt,” Jude proclaims.
“We came here to get him, and we’re not leaving until he’s in the car,” Lorcan says. He looks at me. “You need to speak to him alone.”