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He’s caring, protective, and intense.Exactly like my father, his own father, and his brother Holy, but there’s something different with Malice.It simmers at the surface, right beneath his skin.Rippling like a tidal wave before it destroys everything in its path.I know with him, I’d never have to worry about anything ever again.
Retrieving my laptop, I log into my school account and read over the assignment again.I’m offered two questions: what do I think my life would be like if I could change my parents into different people who aligned more with what I want now, and what would I change about my present life to better it for the future?
I already know I’m going to tackle the second question.The answer is so simple.
Bring my mother back.
I’m confident my future would be drastically different if she were still alive.My father would be different, as well.My sisters.Everyone in our house.
My mother was the essence of life.
A room brightened simply because she walked into it.Laughter was more amusing because hers would echo throughout every room.Her smile could draw in the most hardened men.
As I begin to write, talking about my life before she died, the aftermath of her death, and how things have been since we buried her, I begin to imagine and type out what our world could have been like had she lived.
The picture I paint of a long life with my mother around sends tears streaming down my cheeks.My chest feels tight with each breath I take, with each word I type.I wish she were still here.I wish I could have told her how my crush on Malice blossomed into a love I thought could be eternal.I wish she were here to meet the future generations of Cavanaughs.I wish for so many things, and yet, I realize none of them will happen.Not with her.
CHAPTER10
Malice
Ihad wanted to follow Odette up to her room, but she’s raw, she’s hurt, and she hates being lied to, even if it’s by omission.“She’ll be fine,” Carmine keeps repeating.“Do you remember Owen James?”My body tenses at the mention of his name.He was banished from the Cavanaugh residence when Odette was fourteen for offering to purchase her.
“What about him?”My jaw ticks in tune with my beating heart, though I’ve spent years controlling my reactions, so no one is the wiser.
“He remembers,” Holy answers for me.“Busted his jaw if I’m correct.”
“Eye socket, too,” my father chuckles as he joins us.
I remember the wailing I put on the man wasn’t enough.He still tried to come back for three months before getting the hint that he was not welcome.
“What.About.Him?”I grit out, my composure nearly slipping.
“He’s on his way here.”Carmine’s eyes don’t leave mine.He’s looking for an out-of-control reaction.“He wants to take out a loan.”
Lie,but I keep that to myself.“What do you need me to do?”Carmine Cavanaugh is the only loan shark in the city anymore.He’s got dozens of bookies working for him, none of which will work with Owen James again.
“You’re taking the meeting.”
Holy whistles in surprise.Jermaine stands behind Carmine, his loyalty forever unwavering.
“Why?”Not that I’m opposed.Given my ruthless attitude, I take on some of Carmine’s biggest clients.I don’t deal in excuses, and I suspect he believes Owen’s repayment of the loan will be a problem I’ll finally get to dispatch.
“You deal with the high rollers, Malice.Holy will remain behind; I’m going to check on some things.”He stands, buttoning his suit coat.“See that my office isn’t destroyed.”
He and my father leave the room while my brother and I stare at one another.“You know he expects you to take over when it’s time for him to retire, right?”I frown at his question.
“No, he doesn’t.”But it makes sense.He doesn’t have any sons.I grew up in this life, and he’s given me permission to marry his most precious asset.“Shit.”This is a test.One I won’t fail because my temper gets the best of me.
“Sooooo,” Holy draws the word out, “should I put some plastic down?”
My eyes narrow on my older brother.“Fuck off, Holy.”
“What?Are you telling me the idea hasn’t entered your mind?”Oh, it has.
“I’m not supposed to kill him, not until after he doesn’t pay back the loan.”
His head bobs.“Right.But we can hurt him, can’t we?I know you’re dying for another piece of that asshole.”He’s fucking tempting me on purpose.
