Page 73 of Psycho Sinners

I frowned at the black sweater in my arms, surprised by his sudden softness.

"It won't bite," he stated when I'd looked at it a second too long. "Now, let's go."

We drove in comfortable silence, the pair of us in the backseat as a driver drove, Kenny cradled in Julian's lap. The little gray tabby seemed completely at ease, purring contentedly as Julian stroked his soft fur.

"Does Kenny come with you a lot?" I asked finally, unable to help the small smile that tugged at my lips as I watched the pair. There was something oddly endearing about seeing Julian with the happy feline. Or maybe I was just happy to be out of that damn apartment finally, although I'd been rushed out and into the car by Julian.

Julian gave a nod. "He comes on some business trips and whatnot. I like getting him out of the house when I can."

I arched a brow at that. "That's...strange. Normally people only really do that with dogs."

He shrugged. "Why should cats be any different?"

"I guess," I murmured as I gazed out the window. The door had child-lock on, no surprise there, but escape wasn't at the forefront of my mind right now. I was halfway through my month already, I could survive to the end and be completely free. Escape would mark me for life, I imagined.

The driver took us to an upscale dessert lounge, the kind of place with plush velvet seating and an almost palpable air of opulence. Julian didn't seem fazed by the lavish setting as he led us to a corner table.

"Order whatever you'd like," he stated, gesturing to the ornate menu.

I settled on a decadent cheesecake sundae, unable to resist the siren call of the gourmet ice cream and toppings. Julian ordered something for himself, along with a small bowl of soft serve for Kenny.

We settled into our seats, and Kenny immediately perked up, his little pink nose twitching as he sniffed at the air. He let out a soft meow, and Julian chuckled.

"Be patient. Your treat is coming," he murmured, giving Kenny's ear an affectionate scratch.

I couldn't help but snort a laugh at the exchange. "You treat him like a child."

"He is my furry child," Julian stated with a wry smirk. His expression sobered then as he met my gaze. "The love from a pet is unconditional. Finding love like that isn't easy in this life. People will stab you in the back easily, for money or whatever else."

I nodded slowly, his words ringing with truth. "You and your brothers seem close though. You all live together."

"We are," he agreed with a nod. "And they're the only people I'd ever trust my life with."

I arched a questioning brow at that. "Even Cristian?"

Julian's face darkened, a knowing glint in his eyes. "You may not understand Cristian, but his loyalty is never something I'd question."

"What about your parents?"

"What about them?" His tone was gruff as he frowned, flicking his gaze to our waitress as she strode our way with the tray of desserts.

"Wouldn't you trust them too?"

Julian shrugged, going quiet as he focused on his own dessert as the waitress set them on the table. Kenny immediately put his front paws on the table, eagerly licking up his soft serve.

I took a bite of my cheesecake sundae, the rich flavors melting on my tongue.

"Don't get brain freeze again," Julian warned as he watched Kenny try to take a chomp out of the soft serve.

I couldn't help but chuckle, which turned into a gasp when Kenny yanked his head back and cried out, shaking his head vigorously.

"I told you, dumbass," Julian muttered, but there was a hint of affection in his tone as he stroked Kenny's back.

Kenny licked his lips, his cry dying off before he dove back into his treat, undeterred by the momentary discomfort.

I watched Kenny with amusement, loving this whole bringing him out places thing. Definitely a new thing in my mind.

I focused on Julian as he enjoyed his dessert, thinking on the way he'd shrugged about his parents. "Are your parents still around?" I asked carefully.