Vicious Minds (Children of Vice 4)

Kill her.

“To answer your question,” she smiled, “people only fear what they do not understand. I understand you.”

“You don’t know me.”

“I know your brokenness.” She tilted her head to the side as she looked me over. “It looks exactly like mine. Parents do the most damage, don’t they?”

I reached into my jacket and pulled out a vial and syringe. Instead of panicking, she came closer and offered her arm to me. I met her gaze, her grey eyes on mine, wide, clear, innocent, and calm. I said nothing as I stuck the needle into her arm. She didn’t flinch or look away as I injected the antidote into her.

“It’s cocaine,” I lied.

A smile spread across her face as she leaned closer. “I’ll live.”

“Because you’re determined to be my wife?” I slowly pulled the needle from her arm.

“No, because I’m determined to live a long life and die of natural causes, no matter what.” She fell back onto the bed.

“Then marrying me should not be your plan.”

“Why can’t I marry you and live a long life?” She snuggled into the fluffy pilllows. “I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?”

“You’re chained to the bed against your will,” I reminded her.

She tried not to laugh, “Do you really think I don’t know how to pick a lock? I’m here because I’m fine being here. When I’m ready to go I’ll make sure you know.”

“I’ve already searched you—”

“How well?” she asked with dangerous grin on her face. “You’re calmer today. I prefer you this way. Plus, you brought me back to your side again. If you thought I was a threat wouldn’t you have just killed me already? You keep hesitating; you keep coming back to me.”

“You are a threat. I simply want answers.”

“The desire for answers is the same as having an interest in something. I’m sure you’re smart enough to piece together what I’ve done after you kill me. You don’t need me for work related answers…you are interested in me personally.” She reached up and touched the side of my face. “You’re cute when you’re clueless about your own emotions.”

I grabbed her wrist, halting her motion. “My emotions are not your concern. Do you think I can’t see what you are? You’re a manipulative, megalomaniacal, social climber with no shame and a twisted sense of morals.”

“And so?” She nodded innocently. “You’re all of those same things, aren’t you?”

“I don’t need to climb; I’m already at the top.” I stated coldly.

“True. Is it as lonely as they say at the top?”

“I get on fine.”

“Liar.” Disappointment was etched across her face.

“Excuse me—”

“How the hell can you be getting on fine?” She pushed back. “You have everything and when you have everything already, all you can do is go downhill from there. How afraid are you of failing? You must be afraid of not living up to the legacy your parents dropped in your lap, but also of not being able to surpass them. You have so much to protect, and no one protect you. Your brother’s rebelling, wanting to leave the family and your sister, bless her heart, cares mostly about herself. Your cousins are still children; your uncles are still treating you like a child. On top of that, the Italians and Irish are tired of your fucking family. And if I’m hearing the whispers of other families that want to crush yours, I’m damn sure you are too. You must be all things, father, brother, mother, cousin, grandson, shield, weapon, leader of the pack, ruthless, and ingenious. There is no room for mistakes. When you succeed, you get scorn from everyone, when you fail, they circle like vultures. You don’t feel it now, but you know, in the back of your mind, you see it coming, that moment when you can’t carry it all—”

“Enough.” I snapped at her.

She shook her head no. “You are not fine. No matter how twisted your morals are in comparison to the world, it is not possible for you to simply be fine…even those who are dead inside still know they aren’t fine.”

“You know a lot about my family.” A little too much actually.

“I’m Chicago-born Italian, of course I know your family. I still hear about them even if I’m not there.”

Speaking on that. “You haven’t been to Chicago in a long time. In fact, growing up I only saw you that once.”