Page 288 of Wicked Brutal

“I know,” Victor says. Dad’s eyes snap toward him. Victor smiles at me. “And I like that about her.”

Oh. That did not help.

I give him my sweetest smile anyway. “Then I suppose Friday sounds lovely.”

“See?” Victor says to Dad. “She’s excited.”

Dad looks at me. He knows me better than Victor ever will, and for one awful second I wonder if he can see straight through me — all the way down to Arthur, to Ryan, to the plan sitting behind my teeth.

Then Victor kisses my temple. “Walk me out, darling.”

“Of course.” I take his hand.

Dad doesn’t say anything as we leave. I can feel his stare between my shoulder blades the whole way down the hall.

Outside, Victor’s car is waiting. The afternoon sun is bright enough to hurt my eyes. I don’t let go of his hand.

Two days. I only need two days.

Victor turns to me beside the car. “Think about what you want.”

“For the trip?”

“Anything.”

I smile. “That’s a dangerous thing to tell me.”

“I’m not worried.”

He leans down and kisses me. I kiss him back. Then he starts to pull away, and I catch the front of his jacket. Victor stops. I rise onto my toes and kiss him again. Longer this time.

When I let him go, his expression has changed. “What was that for?”

“You said shopping.” His mouth curves.

“That’s all it takes?”

“Shopping in Europe.”

“Ah. Important distinction.”

I smooth the place on his jacket where my fingers wrinkled it. His eyes follow my hand. “Although now I’m wondering what else you have planned.”

“You’ll find out Friday.”

I wrinkle my nose. “That’s terribly unfair.”

“I thought you liked surprises.”

“I like presents.”

His laugh is low. “Those I can promise.”

I let my fingertips linger against his lapel. “Then perhaps I’ll forgive you for making me wait.”

His hand tightens around my waist. “Careful, sweetheart.”

I look up at him through my lashes. “About what?”