Page 250 of A Vicious Love

Victory.

I added, “Give your daughters clean authority where you use their names, power compounds.”

Her mother’s mouth tightened. Sienna’s hand settled fully into mine.

Better.

I was learning.

Under duress.

Breakfast became a financial clinic after that. A terrible development. The Bellemeres took advantage of a Crow at their table with an enthusiasm I should have punished.

Instead, I helped.

Because Sienna’s fingers traced my tattoos whenever I did.

Her hand moved over mine while I dismantled weak strategies and gave stronger ones. Over my knuckles when I said something useful. Around my thumb when I refrained from insulting one of their cousins.

Her father watched all of it with increasing unease. Good. He should feel uneasy. He had watched his table become useful to me within half an hour because his daughter had put her hand on mine.

If he had any sense, he would fear her more.

Near the end of breakfast, the children returned.

Mila climbed halfway onto Sienna’s lap again before I intercepted her.

“You just got down,” I said.

“I came back.”

“I noticed.”

She held Honey toward me. “He missed you.”

“He has poor judgment.”

“He likes scary people.”

Sienna laughed. “Does he?”

Mila nodded solemnly.

I looked at Sienna. Her cheeks turned pink.

Tomas looked up at me. “Will your baby have tattoos?”

“Eventually.”

Sienna’s hand tightened around mine, and I knew without looking she was beet red.

The children were dragged back again by parents who feared both scandal and me answering more questions.

Cowards.

Her father rose at the head of the table with the air of a man ready to reclaim order.

“We have a full day,” he announced.