Vicious Minds: Part 2 (Children of Vice 5)

“Stop.” She held her finger out in front of me like a child before turning to face me, too. “You are approaching danger, Helen. I thought you were the wiser one. You don’t want me to treat you like I did Nari, do you?”

I opened my mouth. Then closed it. “Your garden is nice, Calliope. Sorry about my expression, I will be sure to make it perfect for you…happy.”

“It will do, but I could do without the obvious sarcasm.” I turned to leave. “You know what your real mistake is?”

I paused.

She didn’t look at me but up at her lights. “Your mistake is not using this time to get closer to me. I asked you to help me with today because I was hoping you’d wisely use me, too. However, once again, you are blind.”

“What are you talking about?”

She tore her gaze away from her lights and stepped closer. “Ethan might keep secrets from you, but I am different. I am his wife. I am Mrs. Callahan. Whatever happens to this family is my business and reasonability, too. So, I have to know everything about everyone.”

My eyes widen as I realized what she meant. “You know where Darcy is?”

She nodded. “And I would have told you, but instead, you chose to join Wyatt in doubting me, instead of bringing Wyatt in to support me…which is supporting Ethan, too.”

“I don’t control Wyatt…”

“If he f

ucks you, you control him,” she said and took another step closer. “If he loves you, you own him, which is why I need you to do fucking better. Especially if you want to take care of the people you love. Ethan will never open up to you at all. It’s just not his way. Which means you will always be in the dark with him. I, on the other hand, don’t mind sharing within limits, of course.”

I stared at her. “You’d really betray Ethan and tell me his plans?”

“Betray Ethan?” She chuckled, “How is it betrayal if Ethan never told me to keep it a secret?”

“Then tell me what’s happening with my brother?” I asked a little too eagerly.

“Why do I have to show my hand? When you’ve done nothing for me?” she asked, tilting to her head to the side.

I bit my lip in frustration. “I can’t just go up to Wyatt and tell him to trust you. He’ll know you said something.”

“Which is why you start slow. Whisper to his soul, distract him with sex, pray with him. I really don’t give a fuck. How about just work on him?” she all but commanded. “And yes, your brother is fine. He’ll be here soon. He won’t be able to tell you anything. So, don’t ask. Then he will disappear again.”

“What has he been—”

“That is my limit,” she interrupted. “Now, will you stop looking as if I’m holding you hostage?”

I gave her a brilliant smile.

“Good, now please go change into the maid of honor dress I sent to your room,” she said so quickly I almost missed it and tripped, following after her.

“What?” She glanced over at me.

“What better way to welcome the new Mrs. Callahan than with the renewing of our vows.”

I felt my mouth try to detach from my face. “Does Ethan know?”

“I’m going to let him know now…just like you are going to let Wyatt know.”

I really had no words.

This was… This was going to piss Donatella off.

ETHAN

I glanced at the blank note card she held up in front of my face as I tried to fix my necktie.