Second (Betrothed 6)

“Fuck, I hope not.”

“We have to return to Marrakech. Tomorrow.”

Jesus, were we really doing this? “Maybe it’s better not knowing.”

“If that were true, yes. But you do already know…deep down inside.”

I sat with my father in the dining room. “I’ll only be away for a few days. You won’t even know I’m gone.”

He took a few bites of his soup before he responded. “Then why are you telling me?”

“In case you need anything, you’ll call instead of going to my bedroom.”

“I don’t go to your bedroom anyway. Too many damn stairs.” He grabbed the saltshaker and poured it into his soup.

I sighed. “Father, you really shouldn’t—”

“Stop sounding like your mother.” He dumped even more salt into the soup—just to make a point.

I let it go. “Anyway, I just wanted—”

“Ooh, lunch.” Catalina entered the dining room, wearing a sundress with a cardigan even though springtime had just begun and it was too cold for that. “What are we having?”

Father’s eyes lit up for her in a way they never did for me. “Sweetheart, what a nice surprise.”

She leaned down and gave him a big hug before she took the seat across from me. “Thought I’d stop by.”

“You gonna say hello to me?” I asked, noting the way I missed any kind of affection.

She waved—like a smartass.

Patricia brought a cup of soup and a panini and placed it in front of her.

“Ooh, this looks good.” She grabbed the shaker and dumped a bunch of salt into her food.

Father smiled proudly.

I rolled my eyes.

“What’s new?” Catalina took a few bites, the steam rising above her face.

“Your brother is going to Marrakech today,” Father said. “He’ll be gone a few days.”

“You are?” she asked excitedly. “Are you going to the bazaar?”

“Actually, yes,” I answered.

“Oh my god, I’ve always wanted to go.” She set down her spoon and stopped eating.

That was never a good sign. “No.”

“Oh, come on,” she said. “Let me tag along.”

“You walked in here and didn’t even say hi to me.”

“So? You know I see you.” She grabbed her spoon and took a few more bites.

“Forget it.” I didn’t want to drag my little sister with us. She would tease me forever for seeing a psychic.

She pouted her lips like a begging child. “Please. Pretty please.”

“Take her,” Father said. “If she’s gonna go, I’d rather you take her than someone else.”

She grinned in victory.

I sighed in annoyance. “I’m just making a stop in the bazaar and leaving—”

“That’s all I want to see anyway.” She moved her empty soup bowl to the side then grabbed her panini. “I’m excited. I want to see the fire dancers and the cobras. Ooh…and the camels! Cute.”

I dragged my hands down my face in frustration. I was a drug lord and a money launderer, and I still had to babysit my little sister. Hades would be thrilled about this.

She scarfed down her sandwich. “I’ll hurry up and pack and meet you back here.” She got to her feet and kissed Father goodbye. “And if you try to ditch me, I’ll kick your ass.” She flipped her hair and stormed out.

Father returned to eating like nothing had happened, but this time with a smile on his face.

Catalina hugged Hades before she grabbed her bag and headed out the front doors to the car waiting outside. “Come on, let’s head out. Party time!”

Hades turned to me, his eyebrows high. “Why is she coming?”

All I could do was shrug in response. “Because she’s a pain in the ass.”

“This won’t be a problem?”

“She and my father ganged up on me.”

“Alright. Are you gonna tell her what’s going on?”

“I don’t know…she wouldn’t believe us anyway.”

Hades knew exactly where the purple tent was because he’d been there so many times over the last few years, but we took our time because my sister wanted to see the sights. Most of the men there stared at my sister like a piece of meat, and one even tried to grab her.

We handled that so fucking fast.

Now I was glad she’d come with me instead of a group of friends. She was heavy baggage that I didn’t want to carry, but at least she was safe this way. After we handled the guys who tried to grab her, everyone was too scared to mess with her, so they left us in peace.

She bought a couple things—and of course, I had to carry them.

When we made it down the quiet alleyway and spotted the purple tent, we’d finally reached our destination.

I turned to him. “Stay out here with her.”

He nodded in understanding, knowing she shouldn’t be left alone.

“What’s that?” she asked, pointing to the single purple tent that stood alone.

“Nothing,” I said. “I’ll be right back.” I headed to the tent and heard them talking behind me.

“Why is he going in there?” Catalina asked.

“It’s a fortune-teller,” Hades explained.