Page 14 of Sworn to Consume
Oh shit.
The second she unlocks the front door, her voice rings out like a siren through the whole damn entrance floor.
“DAD! MALEC ATE MY DATE!”
FUCK. IT. KAYLA.
This is not the time.
She’s had Dad wrapped around her finger since she was in diapers, and Icannothandle another argument right now about how I’m supposed to treat her like some delicate little royal mafia princess.
I storm through the apartment entrance, scanning the first floor—
Too late. Kayla’s already sprinted into Dad’s office, leaving the door wide open like it’s her own personal playroom.
I brace myself for my father’s roar echoing from the office—but to my surprise, nothing happens.
I step in cautiously after Kayla, careful not to say anything until I get a read on him. I’m not about to poke the shark if he’s already in a bad mood.
That’s when I glance toward my usual lifeline, and realize—Mom’s not home.
My eyes land on Dad instead, looming over the main table, deep in conversation with Uncle Mariano about another unclear problem to solve.
Of course. Another mission. Another one I wasn’t called in for.
I let out a frustrated chuckle under my breath, but Kayla doesn’t play by our rules. She never did. She walks right past all the red flags in the room, strolling by my grandmother’s glass case like it’s just another piece of furniture.
I haven’t gone near that case since I was a kid. I know better now than to mess with what they did to her. It's covered now—hidden.
A loud thud pulls me back—Kayla’s palms slam onto the table, hard enough to send some of the loose pins scattering over the map.
“Kayla,” Dad growls low, a sound I’ve only ever heard directed atme.
But this time—it’s aimed ather.
He’s pissed.
Very pissed.
Something’s wrong. Very wrong.
“Dad!” she whines like his fury is beneath her. “Malec ate my date’s soul!”
Dad inhales sharply, closing his eyes—not even hiding his frustration. He straightens slowly, looks like he’s one second from exploding.
“Good,” he says flatly. “You don’t need dates. You’re not old enough to evenlookat men.”
I blink. Once. Then twice.
He’s not taking her side?
“Malec, come here. We’ve got some issues to deal with,” Dad adds, his gaze shifting to me.
Kayla’s jaw drops.
And I won’t lie—Ienjoyit. Way more than I should. Finally, someone else is getting shut down for once.
I step forward and stop beside him, eyes scanning the map on the table.
