Page 103 of Please Hate Me

“You’re glowing today,” I whispered to Mason, and she blushed.

She was an absolute vision dressed in honeydew cashmere, lips glossed in a shimmery pink, with her waist-length hair pulled into a haphazard ponytail. My princess was beautiful, that was for sure.

“Mind if I take over?” I asked, reaching for the storybook.

Juniper glared at me. “No. Mason sounds like a princess, and this is aprincessbook. Uncle Bash can only readmonsterbooks.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes at the three feet of unadulterated sass known as Juniper Castillo.

“Sebastian isn’t a monster. He’s a prince.” Mason removed a hand from the book to rest it on my cheek, and I kissed her wrist.

“No! He’s a big, stinky monster. Daddy’s a prince,” Juniper huffed.

I closed my eyes for a moment, rolling my hand into a fist as I took a deep breath. Would it be wrong to tell a child that her father was a drug addict? Sure, he was in recovery, but all it took was one slip-up and his months of sobriety would be dust in the wind.

“We’re readingPrincess Violet and the Vampire.Can’t he read the vampire parts?”

Juniper crossed her arms with a pout, but relented, allowing me to take the book from Mason’s hands. Before I could delve into this predictable story, I had a few questions.

“Where is everyone?” I asked, hoping Mason would answer.

“Mommy’s in a meeting. She has a job. Not like you.” Juniper looked up at Mason, her green eyes wide with what most would assume to be innocence. “Uncle Bash doesn’t have a job.”

Mason fought a giggle, and I wrestled my temper.

“Mason knows I have a job. Nice try.”

Juniper’s little face pinched as she looked back at me, sticking her tongue out.

“I spilled juice on Papa,” Jasper admitted, apropos of nothing.

Papa must be Cameron.

“That’s okay, buddy. I’m sure it was an accident.” I offered my nephew a hug, one he eagerly accepted. If I could dump a drink on that man without repercussions, I’d probably do it too.

“So, where’s your Daddy?” I asked, smoothing his hair.

“Daddy’s in his room talking toTía Leo,” Juniper harped.

What the hell could they have to talk about that would require any semblance of privacy? I knew if I didn’t at least try to eavesdrop, the wonder would gnaw at me. So, I passed the book back to Mason.

“I thought you wanted to read with us.” The look of disappointment on Mason’s face nearly killed me, but this was for the greater good.

“I’ll be back.” My knees cracked as I stood. “I have to use the bathroom.”

Juniper tipped her head as she looked up at me and then back to Mason.

“He’s gonna go poop.”

“I am not—” I stopped mid-snap to remind myself that Juniper was a child—an annoying, loud, bratty child, but a child nonetheless. “It doesn’t matter what I’m going to do. I’ll be right back.”

As I turned the corner and headed down the side hallway toward Lucian’s room, I heard Juniper whisper:

“He’sdefinitelygonna poop.”

Goddamn brat.

Stealth was a must for any good hunter, and I had a natural talent for it. Thanks to my incredible skill, I successfully avoided the minefield of squeaky floorboards in this antique house and pressed my ear to the cold wood of Lucian’s door. Even though they were behind closed doors, the two were still whispering... Or at least, trying to. Leona had never learned to be quiet.

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