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Her eyes glisten. “A low-level drug dealer for the Napolitans. He wasn’t a good man, but he didn’t deserve to die.”
“Romaine killed him.” I lean back against the window.
The glass is further away than I expect, and it startles me.
For a single beat I think the glass has given way, and my bad luck is finally dragging me to my death, but instead I jerk to a stop on it.
“It’s interesting.” Sherry cocks her head watching me. “Over the years, this bad luck rumor seeped into all of our families. But all it did was make those who suspected they had it to act rashly. Creating their own bad luck. But it doesn’t exist, Cinnamon. You just need to be more careful. Don’t trust the glass to catch you. Don’t be naïve.”
“You’ve cleaned up enough of my bodies to know—”
She gets to her feet. “To know you are fortunate? To understand that bad men may find you, but the universe always keeps you out of their clutches?”
I want to argue, like I always have, but I can’t force the words out. My feelings on it all have changed. I settle on: “You’re right.”
Her lips lift, her bright eyes twinkling in content. “So what will it be, Cinnamon? You don’t have to stay here. I can set you up, I will help you open a restaurant. You can start over. You can escape this life.”
“I—I’m falling in love.” The confession is hot on my tongue. “With all three men. That’s insane, isn’t it?”
Sherry rushes forward, gathering me in her arms and squeezing me into a familiar hug.
Warm. Comforting. A cocoon of peace where nothing bad can happen to me.
“If it’s too much. If you change your mind…” She stuffs into my ear. “It’s never too late, and I will always be here for you.” She presses a kiss on my cheek, releasing me. “Oh, Orzo told me to give this to you. That man is an odd one.” She pulls a phone out of her pocket. “Call me when you need me, I will always come running. But just enjoy some peace. You deserve it.”
Before I can say anything else, she’s gone.
It takes a while to unfreeze, and when I do, I check the phone.
Olive: I miss you. I really want to see you soon. I have a show tonight the bouncer will have your name like always.
Cin: I’m so sorry for going mia. I’ll be there
With one last look out the window behind me, I head to the elevator that will take me down to Orzo’s floor.
67
Feast Before the Famine
Orzo
“Idon’t want to be here,” I grumble for the thousandth time.
It is too soon after Romaine. Cinnamon’s wrists are still bruised. She hasn’t had time to process and heal.
I haven’t been able to get her to agree to a tracker inside her skin. She hasn’t told me she loves me.
I need to get her alone. To make it special. To remind her why she belongs with me.
“Come on, Orzo.” Cinnamon drags me inside, waving at the familiar bouncer.
He doesn’t even check the list, opening the door for us.
Once inside, she beelines it to the very front of the stage, managing to bob and weave through the crowd.
“Hey Bran!” She shouts at the man beside her.
Bran. That annoying fucker.
