“Are you calling us the ugly ducklings?”
I chew my lip. I hadn’t considered that, and now ,I’m terrified to say the wrong thing. “I, uh?—”
She snickers. “Honestly, it’s fitting. But I refuse to name him Fred. He deserves something cool, like Flea Willy.”
I glare at her through the darkness, not missing the flash of her teeth as she hides a smile. “Flea…Willy? You’re fucking kidding.”
“Nope, that’s his name. Don’t wear it out.” She slams the car door, stomping away before I can protest further.
“Let’s talk about this. I don’t want to call him?—”
“I don’t care,” she sasses, not bothering to hold the door as she storms inside. It’s quickly becoming a game of chase, and the puppy yelps in delight in her arms.
“Come here,” I growl.
She whirls on me, already halfway down the hall, the puppy still clutched in her arms. Now alert, the one-eared dog, hair the color of mud, licks at her face. She giggles in excitement, and I shake my head as my heart swells impossibly farther.
“Call him Flea Willy.”
“No.”
She turns her nose up at me in challenge. “Do it, or?—”
“Come here, or you won’t be my good girl. You’ll be a very bad girl. One night a whore, one night a good girl. Tonight, will you be a brat?”
She smirks, her eyes lighting with challenge. “Call him Flea Willy, or I’m screaming.”
I race down the hall after her, and she shrieks. “Scream, my little brat. Scream all you want, but soon, you’ll be screaming my fucking name.”
FORTY-NINE
VALENTINA
December 25th, 2025
“No way arethey letting you in with that mutt.” McCrae leans back in the Adirondack chair, his feet propped on the railing. He looks like a guard dog watching the front door, cigarette smoke still spiraling around his head in a ominous halo.
It’s the first time I’ve seen him since he moved out weeks ago, and as much as I’ve missed him, it only makes me realize how strong and independent I’ve become.
“They let you in, don’t they?” Rafael walks up the stairs behind me, wrapping his arm around my neck. We stand shoulder to shoulder, the squirming ball in question whining impatiently in my arms.
McCrae’s frown deepens, his eyes sharp as they drink us in.
Part of me wants to know what he’s thinking. Does he approve? Does he see how strong I’m becoming?
I shake my head, looking down at Willy, reminding myself it doesn’t matter what he thinks.It’s my life, and I’m happy.
“McCrae, are you coming inside—” Faith slams open the front door but jumps back when she spots us, clutching herchest. Her confusion instantly transforms into one of pure joy, her entire face lighting up. “Valentina, Rafael, you came! Oh my gosh, get in here!” She grabs my arm, dragging me forward. Rafael’s arm drops, hooking his pointer finger into my back pocket as he stumbles to keep up. “Guys, they’re here!”
My face instantly flames, and, not for the first time, I contemplate running for the hills. I don’t like being the center of attention, especially around people who matter. Even as terror fills me, curiosity does too.
I’ve never been a part of a group; our family was broken from the start, and I’m curious how the other half lives.Is it as great as I’ve made it to be in my head?
Adalene is the first to greet us, her face bright and rosy, dark freckles prominent across her nose. For half a beat, fear consumes me. The last time I was at their house, I stood outside their window and pointed a gun at her.
How can she possibly forgive me for that?
“Wine?” I extend my hand, and her eyes drop downward to my offering.
