The smell of the nail polish hits me again, and I shudder.
“Are you all right?” Lucas asks.
“Yeah. I need to get some air.” I look at Julian. “Want to take a walk with me?”
“Outside?”
“Yes, that’s typically where you walk.”
“Then yes.” He smiles and holds out his hand.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Lucas asks. “You just threw up.”
“From the smell of the nail polish,” I say with a wince, knowing Eliza is going to huff about it. It’s not a scent that has ever bothered me before, but I’m so damn nauseous right now. “It’s nice out, and I know my sister and Penny are home. She’s not bringing Penny tonight, and I’d like to see her. I don’t have much experience around kids, you know.”
Lucas smiles but doesn’t take his arm from around me. “Be careful. Take Scarlet with you. The crime rates have gone up in the city.”
“And what? Take her collar off and let a hellhound rip the arms off someone trying to mug me?” I cock an eyebrow. “I can handle it, Lucas. Actually, I’d like to see someone try to mug me. It would be amusing.”
Lucas, however, doesn’t look amused.
“I’ll bring Binx. He’s at least discrete. And Julian will be with me. He’s an angel, and I don’t mean that in a he’s sweet and kind way. He’s been chasing down demons for weeks and only got stabbed once in that time.”
“Don’t get stabbed,” Lucas tells Julian.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” he replies. “I will keep Callie safe. I swore to Michael to watch out for her, and considering her current state, I will be extra vigilant.”
“My current state?” I echo. “I’m a little nauseous, but I’m fine. I can still kick both your asses without breaking a sweat.”
“I believe her,” Eliza mumbles, and Lucas just glares at the both of us.
“Now, unless you want my fragile state to deteriorate even more, I’m going outside for some fresh air. Well, after I pee.” I take another drink, set the glass in the sink, and use the bathroom.
I dig my sunglasses out of my purse and give Lucas a quick kiss before Julian, Binx, and I leave through the front door.
“I used to live in Chicago,” I tell Julian. “I much prefer the country, and Thorne Hill will always be home, but I do kinda miss this sometimes.”
“It has a certain energy to it.” He narrows his eyes and looks around. “It’s chaotic.”
“I think that’s what I like, but only sometimes. It’s nice having the house here to visit.”
Binx weaves between my feet as I walk. We move in perfect harmony, and he’s never once tripped me. We cross the street, and I realize I didn’t bring my phone to text Abby and see if she’s home and up for a visitor.
Right as we’re nearing her house, someone familiar gets out of a silver Mercedes.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mumble, and Binx hisses.
“What is it?” Julian asks, but he sees him right as he sees us. “Scott Martin.”Chapter 38The last time my asshole ex-brother saw us, he was scared shitless and praying he wouldn’t piss his pants. And by the look on his face, he’s feeling the exact same way.
“Hello, Scott,” I say with a pleasant smile on my face. Scott is frozen on the sidewalk, standing in front of the passenger side door and blocking someone from getting out. We’re a few houses down from Abby’s, but I take it as he’s the one coming over to watch Penny tonight so Abby can hang out with me. “You remember my friend, Julian, don’t you?”
Julian takes a few steps forward, tipping his head to the side. “You reek of sin,” he tells Scott, who jerks back and almost trips off the curb. The door opens, and Ella, Scott’s fiancée, gets out, looking confused.
And then she sees me.
“Stay back!” she yells and reaches into her purse for her pepper spray. She holds it up and moves closer to Scott. At least she’s got backbone.
“Chill,” I say and hold up my hand. I bring my wrist down, forcing her hand back into her purse. “We’re just going for a walk.”
“You…you’re why Abby is going out tonight,” Scott finally spits out, eyes darting from me to Julian.
“Yeah. She’s my sister,” I say just to piss Scott off.
“She’s not your sister,” he spits back, right on cue.
“Not by blood. Did you forget?” I point to Julian. “He’s my blood. My family. Oh, and Lucas is, too.” I flash my wedding rings. “We got married and had a beautiful wedding. Which means you have a vampire brother-in-law now since Fuckoff Martin is still spinning the lie that I’m his precious baby girl off doing charity work in third-world countries.”
I wiggle my fingers, making the sunlight sparkle off the ostentatious diamonds. “You know, I never really went public about the wedding. I wanted a quiet ceremony, celebrating our love, you know, as a wedding should be, but I missed out a huge opportunity to get some free publicity. For the Friends of the Night Association, of course.”