Page 81 of Sangre
He smiled at the deep frown crossing his mother’s brow. “Of course, I like her. We’re friends.”
“The way you were holding hands and looking at each didn’t appear like any friendship I ever had.”
Sangre put the knife down and looked at his mom. “Don’t try to marry us, okay? You do this all the time.”
“No, I don’t. You’ve only brought two girls over here and that includes when you were in high school. I just want you to be happy like your brother and sister. I’m pretty sure Connor’s going to ask Kayla to marry him. Don’t you want a family?”
“Someday, just not today. Don’t worry about me, Mom. I’m cool.”
“Are you going to live at that clubhouse your whole life? Don’t you want your own home?”
“I thought I’d come in and save you,” Nicole said as she walked into the kitchen. “You’ve been in here too long, and I saw the way Mom looked at Jordan.”
He winked at his sister. “I owe you.”
“You two.” Diana shook her head and handed a large bowl piled with mashed potatoes to Nicole. “Put this on the table. I don’t see Steve very often.”
“She changed her name to Isla,” he said to Nicole as she walked toward the kitchen door. “She really doesn’t want people calling her Jordan anymore.” Nicole nodded then left the room. “And that goes for you too, Mom.”
“If I can remember. Anyway, don’t you want your own place?”
“Someday.” He picked up the platter and went into the dining room.
During dinner, the chatter of adults and children filled the room, and Sangre kept darting his eyes to Isla, making sure she wasn’t overwhelmed. She wasn’t. Her face glowed under the lights and candles, and her hands waved around as she spoke about her music and the band. One of the things he always thought was endearing about Isla was how animated she’d become whenever she referred to anything that she felt passionate about.Music’s her life.She could never give it up.He didn’t know why that thought pushed into his brain, but he knew the music scene wasn’t in Alina.
“The food is so good, Diana,” Isla said, and his mother beamed.
“How did you like Stephanie’s appetizers?” Sangre asked, inwardly smiling when his mother threw him a scolding look.
“They were really good.” Isla speared another piece of roast beef with her fork.
“Did you hear about Carrie Nolan?” Rachel asked.
Sangre put his utensils down. “What about her?”
“She was found murdered in her car by that remote warehouse off the old highway near Gilmore. The police think it happened last night.”
Sangre heard Isla gasp then she sputtered and began coughing. He handed her a glass of water and rubbed her back. “Are you all right?” he said in a low voice.
“Rachel! Why would you bring something like that up at dinner? That’s not a good topic of conversation, especially with the children.”
“Your mother’s right,” Martin Ansell said.
“I’m sorry. I just thought Isla might know her since they were in the same grade at Jefferson.” Rachel looked down at her plate.
Isla, pale as a winter’s moon, dabbed her face with her napkin. “I didn’t know her. I remember seeing her in the halls, but we weren’t friends. This is awful. Horrible. Do they have any idea who did it?”
Rachel flitted her eyes from Diana to Martin, and then looked right at Isla. “No clue, or at least they’re not saying. She’s the fourth woman to die in less than a year. I’d say there’s a serial killer in Alina.”
“For Christ’s sake, Rachel,” Nicole said.
“Enough of this conversation. Can’t you see how upset Isla is?” Diana pressed her lips together.
“It does seem like the same person is doing these killings,” Tom said.
“Now, don’t you start,” Diana chided her eldest son.
Sangre slipped his hand under the table and placed it on Isla’s thigh, massaging it gently. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want to go out for some fresh air?”
