Page 101 of Bloodlust

"She was a kid," he says, hanging his head. "She'sstilla fucking kid. Jesus, Mils."

Chewing on my bottom lip, I carefully choose my next words, "Listen, Leo." I swallow. "I know that this is probably really hard for you and Zoey. Your relationship with your parents is, umm... It's different than mine, and I?—"

"They're all guilty," Leo mutters under his breath. "They all lied...to you...to me..." He scowls, looking at me, but I'm not the target of his disgust. "We're supposed to be afamily, Mils. And family's supposed to take the pain away, not cause it."

"Not our family," I say, swallowing away the vile taste in my mouth. "Ours is different."

"Yeah, I'm starting to see that now," Leo says, his gaze flitting around my face. "That, umm...that doctor Zoey mentioned, you're sure it'll?—"

"Yes, Hayden confirmed," I say, regretting mentioning the doc but Leo doesn't react, at least not in the way I expected. He gives me a weak smile. "What?"

"Nothing," he says, eyes softening as he tilts his head. "So, uh," he clears his throat, moving his hand away from mine. "So everything's set to go?"

"Mhmm," I hum, nodding as I place a palm over my chest. "All set."

"I'll be there with you," Leo says, catching the terror that's suddenly graced my face. "I'll make sure it all goes according to plan." With an unwavering conviction in his tone, he adds, "I promise, Mils. I won't leave you."

"Good, I'm counting on it," I say as my phone rings. Again? Seriously? I check the caller ID, jerking upright. "It's him."

"Answer it," Leo says, a glimmer of hope in his tone. "Maybe he'll?—"

"Hello?" I say, answering the call.

"Hi, bambina," my father says. Conflict battles in my heart as his voice fills my ears. Maybe Hayden was wrong. Maybe he was mistaken. Maybe he didn't do it. Maybe. "Have you confirmed everything with Alba and," he grunts. "And Zhao?"

"Yes," I say, closing my eyes. I fucking hate maybes. "All good to go."

"Excellent," he says. "Your mother and I are very proud of you, you know? You've proven yourself a worthy successor."

"Thanks," I say, biting my lip. "Any chance you'll want to be here? To witness my rise to fame?"

"Ah, no can do," Dad tuts, clicking his tongue. "We've got some business here ourselves, but why don't you fly over after it's done, eh? You deserve a little fun in the sun, kid."

I let out a controlled scoff. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Bali's always been on my bucket list."

"You'd love it here, Cami," he says. "The beaches are pristine. Your mother went swimming with the sharks yesterday, it was glorious."

"Sounds dangerous," I hum. "Could've gotten killed."

"Your mother? No way," he chuckles. "That woman would survive the damn apocalypse."

"Can I... Can I talk to her?" I ask timidly. One last time. "If she's there."

"Sure," Dad says, hollering, "Maria! It's your daughter. She wants to say hello."

"Fine." I hear my mother's moody voice, and the receiver on the other end shuffles. "Hello?"

"Hi Mom," I say, nervous. "How are you?"

"Me? I'm always fine, Camilla," she states curtly. "And you? Still running a whorehouse?"

I grit my teeth. "It's a club."

"A club?" she scoffs. "It's a house for heathens. Youshould really think real long and hard about where you want to end up after this life ends."

"Really?" I let out an incredulous laugh. "You're judging me for running a business? A business that pays for your entire lifestyle, might I add."

"Trust me, dear," she says. "I make certain your father doesn't buy me anything with that dirty sin money of yours."