Page 10 of Crave
“Thank you, Marvin. I think we all need to take some time.” Lincoln strode forward and grabbed the lawyer's hand and my brothers saw it all.
I knew them well enough to know when the lines of war were drawn.
“How about a shake?” Jude tried to ease the tension. “Let’s get out of here and head to Monicas, we can talk about this all later, okay?”
I didn’t nod, nor did I fight when Gabe smiled, then turned to me. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
As always I went along when Jude jerked his gaze to Theo who glared at Lincoln. “Theo, now.”
A huff came from Theo followed by a snarl before he strode for the door. This was going to be bad. I knew it in my bones, but as I headed for the door Lincoln turned around and took a step toward me, giving me a smile. “Angelica.”
I stopped, freezing as he grabbed me and pressed me against his chest. “I know it’ll be hard now without your mom.” He eased away, staring into my eyes. “I just want you to know I’m here for you, day or night. I want you to call me for anything, I truly mean it. Day or night for whatever you need. I know how much Meredith loved you.”
“Thank you.” I murmured as Gabe gave a yank, pulling me toward the door and my brothers waiting.
“Didn’t know you two were chummy.” He muttered coldly as we headed along the hall.
I grabbed the door as he pushed open, stepping out into the morning sun to find our limousine waiting for us. “We aren’t.” I answered.
He gave me a look and climbed in after Theo and Jude, taking a seat with his back to the driver, leaving me to do the same. My brothers stared at me, not saying a word. Normally this didn’t bother me, but it did today.
The door closed with a thud.
“This changes everything.” Theo muttered.
“It changes nothing.” Jude shook his head. “It’s not about money and the business. It’s about us and how we stick together.”
“I wouldn’t say that around Silas if I were you.” Theo finished as the driver climbed in, started the car and pulled out.
Silas. He was going to be even more pissed off than usual. Better to stay in my room, at least until I could get away from them. I didn’t care about the money, didn’t care about the cars or the business I was never involved in. I cared about survival, especially now.
Heat moved through my cheeks with the weight of his stare. I met Theo’s glare with my own. “What?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged. “Just trying to work out how a nobody like you wormed your way into our family.”
“Wormed.” I snapped. “The only worm I see around here, Theo…isyou.”
He moved fast, lunging across the interior of the car. But Jude was there, grabbing him around his waist and driving him backwards.“Enough!For fucks sake you two, get it together!Our parents just fucking DIED!”
Theo shoved his brother away, adjusting his shirt. That cruel fucking glare aimed at me.“Ourparents! Nothers!”
“Oh give it a rest.” Jude shook his head. “You’ve played that same fucking song all your goddamn life.” He glanced my way. “Angelica is as much a part of our family as Gabe. You want to bitch about him too?”
I swallowed the pain.
“Well?” Gabe snapped, staring at his brother. “Areyou?”
“Of course not!” Theo glared. “You’re our fucking blood.”
Gabe puffed his chest out and jerked his head my way. “Andsois she.”
Theo pushed back in his seat, dragging his hand through perfect dirty blond hair, sulking and seething like he always did. But that glare didn’t last long as it drifted down my body. I shifted against the seat, tucking my dress in around my thighs. I hated it when he looked at me like that. Like he’d enjoy hurting me given the chance.
Only I wasn’t about to let that happen.
Family or not, I was a ghost. They just didn’t know it.
The limousine pulled into a private driveway, heading to the rear of the packed restaurant. Monica opened the rear door as we climbed out, giving us a sad, awkward smile that rang false.
