Page 83 of Deathless & Divided

“She’s in my wedding, too,” Lily said softly. “You do know that, right?”

“Hmm, who?” Evelina asked, looking over the top of the magazine.

“Abriella.”

Evelina’s face darkened. “What is your point?”

Lily pointed at her friend’s angry expression. “That’s my point right there. What is going on?”

“It’s not Ella that I’m pissed off about, Lily.”

“What is?”

“Her family. Her grandfather might as well have held the gun. Pointed it, pulled the trigger; whatever you want to call it. He’s responsible.”

“She’s not them, though,” Lily said.

Evelina lifted her shoulders like it didn’t make a damned difference. “I know, but I can’t get involved or take sides right now. Not with my father being like he is. Better I stay to my side of Chicago and she stays on hers. Maybe it’ll work itself out.”

“Sounds like you’ve already taken a side.”

“I haven’t.”

Evelina’s actions spoke differently.

Lily chose not to push her friend on that front. “Is your father going to come to the wedding?”

“Yes, I’m in it. He doesn’t miss a chance to show me off when I’m dressed up. Unlike you, I’m still on the market, Lily.” Evelina’s voice didn’t hold a hint of sadness about the fact her hand was still for sale in the marriage market, technically. “So yeah, I imagine he’ll be there.”

“Terrance will be there, too. It’s a big thing, remember? Two families inside the Outfit joining or whatever. As much as this whole wedding thing irks me, I would like to have a nice day. One that isn’t full of people screaming at one another.”

Evelina didn’t blink a lash. “I’m sure it will all be settled by then.”

“How—”

Evelina’s father walked into the living room with a cell phone pressed to his ear. Adriano followed right behind.

“But, Dad—”

“Enough, Adriano.”

Evelina tensed and quickly averted her gaze from her brother and father.

“Yeah, is everything good?” Riley asked, his attention back on his phone call. “Perfect, give me thirty.”

Riley ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket. Like Evelina and Lily weren’t even in the room, he turned on his frustrated son and waved his hands wide.

“The answer is no, Adriano,” Riley said. “Stay out of it and keep an eye on your sister for me like you’ve been doing.”

“Aren’t you worried about what the boss is going to do?” Adriano asked his father.

“I don’t care. He should have done it right the first time or settled it for me like I asked.”

Lily’s brow furrowed as she watched the confusing exchange between father and son.

“They deny it, Dad,” Adriano said, his voice desperate.

Riley sighed harshly, his teeth gritting. “Why are you doing this, son?”