Page 28 of Easy Steal

I frowned.

“Sam, surely you can manage a word or two, for fucks sake.”

I sighed, rolling my head back.

“Fine,” I said to the sky.

Livie patted me on the forearm as I dragged her through the crowd in search of my mother. I looked down at her tiny hand on my arm, and she smiled up at me.

“You okay?” she asked.

I nodded.

“I didn’t realise this was for your father. I would’ve, I don’t know, dressed more appropriately or something.”

“It’s fine,” I said, “I didn’t know either.”

All black attire was not rare for The Family, so there’s no surprise that I didn’t pick up on it straight away. I spotted my mother near a table decked out with charcuterie boards and wine displayed perfectly atop it, surrounded by people probably offering condolences.

I paused for a moment, not wanting to interrupt her.

She eventually glanced my way, and shot me a small smile, but then continued with her conversation.

I sighed, and turned around, pulling Livie along with me to the opposite end of the party.

“I’ll talk to her later,” I said quietly, only to Liv.

She nodded, but the concern was still plain in her expression.

“Drink?” I asked, looking down at her.

It was the first time I realised just how short she was.

She nodded furiously and I chuckled, guiding her towards the open eskies filled with ice and drinks.

We each pulled one out.

“Another competition, m’lady?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes, “no thank you. I’d like to make a good impression on my new boyfriend’s family. Make them believe that I’m a respectable woman and in no way a stripper.”

I chuckled again, and took a sip of my drink.

“I’ll have to come to Lilith’s one night,” I mumbled into the can with a smirk.

“You wouldn’t fucking dare,” Livie hissed.

“Why not?”

“It’s weird,” she snapped.

I chuckled again, and then felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Sammy,” Larissa cooed from behind me, “are you going to introduce me to your newgirlfriend?”

Livie plastered herself to my side, and I could see the switch she made in her expression from relaxed to her showtime, in-love face, as she gazed up at me with wide eyes.

I had to stop myself from laughing as she batted her eyelashes.

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