Page 274 of A Vicious Love

“I had a shoe emergency,” Mila said.

“Uncle Jamison saved the shoe,” Nell announced.

Henri’s mouth twitched as he reached for his daughter. “Come here, little commander. Let the man have his arms back.”

Mila clung to my neck. Sabine took the muddy sandal from Sienna. “She gets attached quickly.”

“She takes after Sabine,” Henri said.

Sabine gave him a look. “I did not get attached quickly.”

Mila finally let Henri take her. He settled her expertly against his side. She immediately tucked her face beneath his jaw, all command leaving her body now that she had returned to her father. His hand spread over her back. He kissed her head, murmuring in French, “Mon petit tyran,”

Sabine leaned toward them, and Henri shifted closer, creating shade with his own body and handing her the lemonade he had been holding.

Deeply in love, then.

Embarrassing for everyone forced to witness it.

Still I respected the man. He loved his wife and family. That often said alot about a man’s character. Sienna went with Sabine. Fussing over Nell. I stepped back to lit a cigarette. Before I could bring the lighter to it. Celeste appeared.

She crossed the lawn from the far path with a cluster of other arrivals. Only instead of avoiding me. She walked this way.

“Jamison,” Celeste glanced toward the others, then back at me. “I only wanted to ask if you’ve told Sienna. Because I won’t lie to my cousin.”

I stepped closer.

Her chin lifted.

“If lying is the problem,” I said, “I can remove your tongue and simplify your moral position.”

Celeste recovered faster than I wanted. Bellemeres did that. “Threatening me in front of family is risky.”

“No, threatening you in front of family is restraint. Alone would be risky.”

Her gaze flicked toward Sienna, still with the children. “She’ll find out.”

She stepped closer before I gave her permission to live that boldly and placed her hand on my forearm.

“Fuck off.” I caught Celeste’s wrist.

Her smile broke.

I did not hurt her. Sienna had asked me to behave.

So, I simply removed her hand from my arm and lowered it with enough pressure to explain consequences.

“Sienna is walking back,” I said. “You’re going to smile. You’re going to greet her like a cousin who missed her, and if one syllable of the merger is mentioned. I’ll make sure silence becomes your only future skill.”

Celeste stared at me.

The color had drained from her face.

I released Celeste’s wrist.

Sienna approached cheeks flushed from sun, hair coming loose around her face. She looked between us.

Celeste turned with a bright gasp. “Sienna!”