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“What’s that?” Maddie asked.
“My husband.”
Maddie’s eyes widened and then softened. “Oh.”
“Maddie’s going to school for hotel management and business,” Marv said.
“Really? I might be able to help you with that,” Carmen said.
Maddie’s brows rose. “You can?”
“I own shares in Pyre Casino, and I have an in with the CEO.”
Maddie’s mouth formed the word, “Wow,” but no sound came out of her.
“Where are we putting her stuff?” Frederick asked from behind her.
“This way,” Marv said and started down the hallway.
“You know, Marv, it’s not a big deal for me to go to a hotel,” Carmen began.
“Don’t be silly. You’re family,” he said.
He led her to a beautiful guest room with doilies on the dresser and everything done in white. It was simple, rustic, and soothing. It wasn’t the type of room you cried your heart out in. She settled Vinny on the bedside table and winced when it creaked under the weight. Frederick and Mickey began to bring in her stuff, and she attempted not to trash the place by making semi-organized piles. When she finished, she padded back into the living area. Through the front windows, she saw Mickey and Frederick parked across the street in the SUV.
“Are you in trouble?” Maddie asked.
Carmen plopped onto the opposite of the lush couch and faced her future stepsister.
“Yeah,” she said.
“What kind?” Maddie asked.
She hesitated. This house belonged inBetter Homes and Garden. If Maddie grew up in a house like this, underworld shit wasn’t for her innocent ears. She might not even know it existed.
“The bad kind, but it’ll be over soon.”
“I like your shoes.”
She smiled and held up her foot so they could admire the kickass shoe together. “Thanks. What’s your shoe size?”
“Eight.”
She winked. “Your shoe collection just imploded. You and I are the same size. Whatever you want, feel free to take.”
Maddie’s mouth dropped. “What?”
She waved a hand. “I mostly use my shoes once anyway. Actually, Lyla’s the same size too, so you can steal her shit too.”
“Lyla?”
“My cousin. She’s married to Gavin.”
“The CEO of Pyre Casinos?” Maddie asked in a strangled voice.
“That’s him,” she said dryly.
She jerked her head toward the kitchen where their parents were eating donuts, drinking decaf coffee, and giggling like teenagers.
