Page 9 of Malice

“That’s, uh, kind of terrifying.”

I shrug. “You don’t have to be afraid of them. Well,” I go on and smirk. “Unless you make them mad. Then be terrified.”

“Reassuring, Wren, very reassuring.”

We stare at each other for a few seconds before Antonio sighs and sits on the edge of the bed, looking around the room. I’ve passed by many times, but I haven’t really gone in here. The room looks straight off someone’s Pinterest board, with high-end detail and rich painted wood paneling on the ceiling.

“Other than the fact your soul belongs to a demon for the time being,” he begins. “You seem…okay.”

“I guess I am.” I shrug again. “I mean, I am. I never would have thought things would go the way they did, but, uh, hey. That’s life, right?”

“He treats you well?”

“Yeah. He does,” I reply, unable to help my smile when I think of Xavier. “I never thought being forced to marry a vampire mob boss would work out in my favor, yet here I am.” I chuckle, shaking my head at how insane this all sounds. “I’m part of the family, and they take family seriously. You don’t just have to be born into it with them.”

My words hang heavy in the air, creating an awkward silence. I wasn’t born a Russo and was reminded of it every single day.

Toni’s brows push together and he drops his gaze, guilt on his face. “We thought for sure you’d run away.”

“I did, too,” I confess and feel the truth start to bubble up inside me. “I had nowhere to go and no one to run to and I didn’t want to believe it because that was scarier than being here.” I cast my eyes down, still able to feel the hurt. There’s relief in having said those words out loud, but the truth sits on me, weighing me down with shame. Because I can’t deny it anymore: if I left, I would be forced to confront the fact that I was utterly alone and that in itself was scarier for me to deal with than being brought here against my will.

I want to believe there was some part of me that sensed the goodness in Xavier, the gentle part of him that only comes out when I’m around. And maybe I did. Maybe there really is some sort of karmic soul connection between the two of us, but I also need to face my biggest fear: there is no place for me, I will never fit in, I will never be enough to be fully wanted.

It’s happened a few times, almost fitting in. I was held at arm’s length. Welcomed into a relationship, but not the family. I was part of an elite circle of hunters, but not one of them. My differences made me stronger, made me who I am, but it kept the little voice in the back of my head questioning if I am enough.

“I’m really sorry, Wren.”

“Don’t be,” I say and look back at Antonio.

“I am,” he presses. “I’m your big brother. I should have done something.”

“In hindsight, I’m really glad you didn’t.” I smile. “I wouldn’t be Mrs. Malus.”

“God, that’s so weird. You’re an old married woman now.”

“I’m still younger than you. And a lot younger than my husband.”

Antonio snickers and lets out a breath. “What do you do all day?”

“Now…kinda whatever I want. Just a couple days ago, I was hanging out with my werewolf friend buying drugs.”

Antonio raises an eyebrow. “I won’t judge.”

“It was to track down the demon, which reminds me, I should probably go to Tent City and see the damage.”

“And do what, Wren?” he questions, being the voice of reason. “We already know who the demon is, what the demon wants, and we know that a bunch of lower-level demons escaped while the portal was open. If anything, you need to lay low and figure out where the sigil is so we can save your ass—again.” He winks when he says that last part. We all know I’ve saved his ass more times than he can count.

The door opens and Theo appears at the threshold. “I like him. Maybe having him around won’t be the thorn in my side I thought it would be.”

“Who says I’m sticking around?” he quickly fires back.

Theo gives him an are you fucking stupid look. “Where are you going to go? The hunters thinking you’re dead is going to work in our favor.” He lets out an annoyed huff. “Besides, it seems you’re qualified to babysit my sister in law.”

“Fuck you, Theo,” I retort.

“You wish you could,” he snaps back. “But I don’t think my brother would be too pleased.”

“I wish I could stake you.”