Page 184 of The Unravelings

“Oh, but we already did that, didn’t we, Crumpet?” He winks, earning another glare full of disdain. “And it was splendid.”

“Let’s not talk about that,” I mutter, picking up the fork offered to me and sighing as I cut into the pancakes despite my stomach turning.

“Let’s not,” Wilder mutters in agreement, turning a bright shade of pink and focusing on his food again. But not before his eyes drift to Olivia, who glares at the damn wall, refusing to meet anyone’s eye.

“Grand. Great! Let’s not talk about anything. I have to go,” Olivia grumbles again, pinching the bridge of her nose, but doesn’t try to stand.

“Ah, ah, Little Ghost. We have plenty to discuss,” Malic reminds her. “Now, eat some more pancakes. The stress looks like it’s eating away at you, and you need food to fuel your body.” He pushes more pancakes in her direction, but she doesn’t touch them. In fact, she puts her nose up at them with a huff. “I promise they’re not drugged. Well, this time,” he chuckles softly.

Olivia flinches back. “Not drugged? Well, I’d fucking hope not!” She huffs a few breaths, a fury sparking in her eyes. “What do you mean this time?” she snarls, slapping her hands down onto the countertop.

Malic tilts his head slightly. “I may or may not have slipped a little Tylenol PM into your drinks. No biggie.” His grin widens when she growls at him. “Okay, so big biggie. So sorry, Little Ghost. I promise I kept you very safe and…”

“Shut up!” Olivia curses under her breath and shakes her head. “We’ll talk about this later when my head doesn’t hurt so goddamn much.” Gently, I reach over and put my hand on her shoulder for support and gently squeeze until she relaxes, and I take my hand back. “So, what exactly do you want?” Olivia asks, shifting in her seat. “No more pancakes or distractions. I want words and only words.”

“I already told you, I want you to help me find out what happened to my sister. Dig into police reports and surveillance footage from casinos and hotels. Anything you can get your hands on. I want culprits. Leads…” He trails off, slowly chewing his food and swallowing. His eyes dart to me and narrow slightly. There’s a deadly spark in his eyes before his gaze flicks back to Olivia. “And in return, I’ll keep your secret. Although I’d love for you to come snuggle with me every Sunday. Naked, too.” He tilts his head. “Yes. In fact, I’m blackmailing you for custody of you and for your help. My keeper wants in, too.”

Olivia levels him with a glare that could probably set him on fire if she were trying.

“Custody?” she grits out. “I’m not a damn child.”

“Yes, custody,” Malic says through a mouthful of food again. “After this, you’ll never want to see me again, and we can’t have that. Besides, I’ll always know where you are.” He taps the side of his head with his sticky fork and grins when she glowers at him more.

Well, he’s definitely in the doghouse now. More so than me. If he wants surveillance footage and police reports, I can help her hack into them so he’ll back off and leave her alone, so her secret is safe within these walls.

“I don’t even want to ask,” Wilder mumbles, pushing his food around with his fork.

“How about you, Enemy Number Three? Do you need custody of her, too?” Malic asks gleefully, perking up when my gaze snaps to him.

“Custody? I don’t need custody,” I say, straightening my spine. “She’s mine.”

Malic snorts. “You see, that’s where you’re wrong. She isn’t only yours. She’s mine, too. And his. So, I’m offering an olive branch here. Something that won’t come around again. I’m a selfish bastard, and honestly, I don’t like to share. And if we’re sharing our true feelings, I don’t like you or the other fucks, either. I could pluck you from that chair right now, twist your neck, and you’d never be a problem again.” He grins as he says it, making my fists curl on the table. “How about that?”

“Malic,” Wilder hisses, slapping him on the chest. “Simmer the fuck down. If you’re trying to compromise, you’re not doing a very good job of it.”

“Absolutely not, Keeper. He’s trying to take what is mine, and I’m offering to share. Besides, this is our fucking house.”

“She’s not a goddamn toy,” Wilder grits out.

“For the first time in my life, I agree with him,” I say, nodding toward Wilder, who glares at the two of us with fire in his eyes. “And you wouldn’t get close enough to break my neck.” I smirk when Malic straightens his spine and loosens his shoulders. “You could try, of course.” But I’m quicker than he thinks. I may not fight at the Coliseum, but I live with my two best friends who love to throw punches. And me? Well, I’ve learned how to dodge their anger. One swing at a time.

“Want to bet on it, Enemy Number Three?” Malic coos, leaning back in his chair with a grin. “It would only take two seconds for you to realize you’ve lost and then bam!” He claps his hands together dramatically. “Lights out.”

“Stop fucking antagonizing him,” Wilder bites out, shaking his head.

“But why? It’s fun,” Malic quips.

I roll my eyes, stuffing a bite of pancakes into my mouth. I’d never admit it to the bastard, but they’re perfectly fluffy and taste like heaven. The best pancakes I’ve had in years.

“Bring it on.” I swallow my bite, grinning when Malic watches me with an expressionless face, tilting his head.

“Jesus Christ. Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one of the bunch?” Wilder asks, tossing a hand out. “If you challenge him, he’ll fucking take it, and I’d rather not have to explain to anyone why your body is buried in the backyard,” he huffs. “Especially your two little friends who will come sniffing around. Just what I need.”

“The backyard, Keeper? Is that where they all go?” Malic asks.

“Shut the fuck up. Both of you,” Wilder gripes, taking a bite of the pancakes and chewing aggressively. “Or I’ll bury everyone in the fucking backyard before riding off into the sunset where Mafia assholes don’t exist.”

“You and me both,” Olivia grumbles under her breath.