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“Lucius,” she calls. “Three spaghetti and meatballs for the table.”
“Of course.” He doesn’t even bother to write it down. It’s an easy enough meal I suppose. “Anything to drink?”
“Water for now.”
He nods and heads into the back.
As we wait for our meals to arrive, I struggle to keep up with their conversation, my mind racing with questions and doubts. It feels odd to be here, sharing a meal with these people who could so easily destroy everything I hold dear.
Each passing moment feels like an eternity, each laugh and casual touch between Isabella and Cassius a reminder of how far I’ve strayed from the safety of my ordinary life.
“Annalise,” Isabella says, drawing my attention back to her. “Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do in your free time?”
I hesitate, wary of revealing too much about myself, especially in front of Cassius. All it would take is one slip, one misplaced word, for my carefully constructed world to come crashing down around me. “Well, I…uh, enjoy reading,” I stammer, keeping my gaze fixed on the worn wooden table between us.
That’s not too revealing.
“Reading?” Isabella leans forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “That’s great! What kind of books do you like?”
“Mostly mystery novels,” I admit, my words coming a little easier now. “They help me escape from reality for a while.”
Isabella nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer. “And your family? Do you have any siblings?”
She’s digging for information. Cassius is looking down at his phone, but I can tell he’s still listening to every word I say.
Be careful.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “No, it’s just me.”
“Just you?” The way she says it makes me feel like she knows more than she lets on. “How sad. Not even a boyfriend?”
I glance nervously at Cassius, who has remained silent throughout our conversation. His gaze is unreadable. The tension in the air is almost tangible, its weight settling heavily on my shoulders. “No boyfriend.”
“Annalise,” Isabella continues, seemingly oblivious to my discomfort, “don’t you ever feel lonely?”
My breath catches in my throat, and I force myself to meet her gaze. “Sometimes,” I admit, my voice barely more than a whisper. “But I was alone a lot growing up. It’s nothing new to me.”
“Interesting.”
I feel like I’m being interrogated. “I have a question for you. Why did you invite me here?”
She smiles, her eyes flitting over to Cassius. “I have to go to the bathroom. Annalise, join me.”
“But, I don’t…” I cut myself off. I like my chances better in the bathroom with Isabella than out here with Cassius. “Okay.”
She slides out from beside Cassius, and I stand up and follow her to the bathroom. Once we’re inside, her face becomes serious. “I didn’t want to ask you this in front of my brother, but are you okay?”
I wasn’t expecting that. “Am I okay?” I repeat, scared that I’ve heard her wrong.
“I saw you with Damian. You didn’t look comfortable. Is there something going on between you and my brothers?”
Yes, I have two twin girls from them. “No.”
She eyes me. “I can’t tell if you’re telling the truth or not, and you don’t have to confide in me if you don’t want to. But let me give you a piece of advice. If you’re seeking them out, stop. It’s best if you maintain your distance from them. They’re complicated men, with even more complicated lives.”
Her words send a shiver down my spine. I’ve figured that out already.
“But if they’re seeking you out…you’re already in trouble.”
