Page 414 of Wicked Brutal

It’s Delilah’s second year there now. She looks like she belongs in Boston. Like she’s found her own place outside being Danny’s little sister.

Piper looks up at her. “Do you have dinosaurs?”

“Wrong museum.”

“You should get some.”

“I’ll tell my boss.”

“Perfect!” Then she runs away.

Delilah looks at me. “She really believes I can make that happen.”

“Daddy!” I turn. Piper is standing beside the cake. “Cake now.”

Everyone starts moving toward the tables. Kaid brings Cat. X brings Penny. Danny and Becca are arguing over whether she’s allowed to answer a UN email at a four-year-old’s birthday party.

“It’s one email.”

“You said that three emails ago.”

“I have a job.”

He takes her phone.

“Daniel.”

“Rebecca.”

She stares at him. He kisses her. She tries not to smile. Fails.

Iz and Bella are arguing too. Obviously. “You’ve been at Harvard for five minutes and you’re already insufferable,” Bella says.

“I was insufferable before Harvard.”

“Finally, something we agree on.”

“You’re the one who followed me there.”

Bella stops. “Followed you?” Iz smiles. Wrong move. “I am getting my master’s in public health while working with BPHC and MIRA.”

“Trainee.”

“I will bury you.”

“Very public-health of you.”

“You chose medicine because you need everybody to tell you you’re special.”

“Boston Children’s thinks I’m special.”

“They let you near the building.”

“They love me.”

“They’ve met you. Impossible.” He pulls her against him. She keeps glaring. He kisses her. She kisses him back, then immediately says, “I’m still beating you.”

“At what?”