Page 94 of Graveyards & Greed

Sylvie

That morning—which happened to be my wedding day—I texted Luna and Alexa a list of things to do, then set off with my own list, Milo in tow.

First, we went to Trina’s apartment. Milo looked down at me outside her new front door. “I’ll stay out here since you can’t crawl through a window and ditch me.” The man had a point since Trina’s apartment was on the fourth floor.

I patted his shoulder. “You’re kind of growing on me, and I promised Drakos I wouldn’t give you the slip anymore. I’m warning you, though. My last stop is the Fuzzy Peach.”

He gave me the side eye. “Should I know what that is?”

“If you get your privates waxed or sugared regularly, you might be able to guess.”

He grimaced. “You do it on purpose, don’t you?”

“What?”

“Try to embarrass me.”

My lips twitched. “You make it easy, big guy.” What Milo likely didn’t know was that no one in their right mind would get waxed downtherehours before their wedding night.

I glanced around as I knocked on Trina’s door. Our cleanup crew had added an extra deadbolt to the new door, but it still wouldn’t keep anyone out for long. Terrance and my father knew where they lived now, and our employees were a weak spot in the Spade family armor.

The last time I’d been here, an MC member lay bleeding out on their welcome mat, and blood and brain matter dotted the wall across the way. I studied the hallway now and was gratified to see fresh paint and no stains visible on the hallway carpet. Drakos and I really needed to find a new hobby besides killing people together.

Trina opened the door and stared up at me in surprise. “Today is your wedding day. What are you doing here? You should be getting ready.” She stepped aside to let me in.

Camilla wasn’t in the living room or kitchen area. “Where is she?”

Trina’s sweet, wrinkled face turned down. “In her room. Always in her room.”

“She’s going to be one of my bridesmaids today.” I held up the clothes I’d brought with me. “Her dress is a little more age-appropriate than Luna and Alexa’s, but I think she’ll like it. She needs to be at the mortuary by one this afternoon.”

“Dios mío,you’re getting married at the funeral home? I’m sure it’s some kind of bad luck or bad omen, or something. I thought you were just having the wedding party there.”

I shrugged. “We’re having both the wedding and the party there.” Taking a deep breath, I grasped Trina’s shoulder. “I have a big favor to ask. I want you and Camilla to move out of this apartment and into one of the cottages at the Spade compound.”

Declan and Callum sometimes used the spare, two-bedroom cottage on Fennick’s property as a place to crash, but I’d have them move their stuff out today if Trina said yes.

“But this is our home. We’ve lived here for years.”

The apartment complex was old and a little run-down, but most of her neighbors seemed to be good people. “We’ll pay for movers, but I don’t want you here anymore, it’s not safe.”

Her eyes went glassy, and she glanced down the hall. “We don’t have any close family nearby who can take us in, but she needs to be around people. She’s not getting better, and I don’t know what to do.” Her voice broke as she turned away.

“The compound is always busy, and Ezra lives right next door. You also won’t have to pay rent, which means more money for Camilla’s college. Please think about it. Can I talk with her again?”

Trina put her fist over her mouth and nodded. I knew she’d agree because her biggest dream was to have Camilla graduate from college. I walked back to Camilla’s bedroom and knocked on the door.

“I’m okay,Abuela.I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“It’s Sylvie. I need to talk with you.” I didn’t hear any sounds for a few seconds, and then she opened the door.

Her gaze darted around. “What’re you doing here?” Camilla’s greasy hair hung in strings around her face, and the smell of body odor and dirty socks wafted out at me.

Shaking my head, I stepped into her room and held up the garment bag and a shoe box. “Go take a shower, and for God’s sake, wash your hair—twice. You’re going to be one of my bridesmaids.”

Her chin came up and she stepped back. “No, thank you. I’m not feeling well today.”

I cocked an eyebrow and pushed inside her room. My insides churned at confronting her, but I didn’t know what else to do. “No, you’re feeling sorry for yourself again today. I understand, but it’s time. You can either take a shower by yourself, or Trina and I will help you. Your choice.”

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