Page 65 of A Sinner's Virtue

“Uh-huh.”

“Look, whatever he said to you, don’t listen. He’s not himself right now.”

“Did his fiancée cheat on him?”

“Shelli? Why would you ask that?”

“Just something he said… It was odd.” I lift a single shoulder into a half shrug.

“What did he say?” Marcel asks while avoiding my question.

“Something about him being loyal even if she wasn’t. It just caught me off guard.”

“She did, but we didn’t think he knew,” Marcel says. “We found her journals. And, well, they’re… descriptive.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell him? Show him?”

“Because he’s already devastated. He doesn’t need to lose her twice,” he says.

Maybe Marcel is right, but knowing the truth might also free him in a way as well. I don’t know for sure. I mean, I haven’t experienced the kind of loss he has. I guess no one really knows how they would react until they have to experience it.

“Did you have any plans today?”

“It’s Saturday. So, not really.”

“Good, it’s family barbie day,” he says.

“Barbie day?”

“Barbecue. You know, sun, backyard, beers, meat on the barbecue.”

“Oh, a grill out. You guys do that?” I ask him.

“Why wouldn’t we?”

“I don’t know. I just… I guess with all the suits and serious grumpiness wafting off you and your brothers half the time, I didn’t see you as the grill-out type.” I shrug.

“You’re in for a treat, then. And I’m not grumpy. Gio definitely. But me? I’m the easygoing brother.”

“I actually think that Vin might win the title for easygoing brother.” I smile.

“You need to stay away from Vin. He’s a bad influence,” Marcel grunts.

“Too bad. He’s the brother I like the most so far,” I admit. “Do you think we can stop by my place so I can change?”

“I had Ivan get you some things. You’ve got a bag in my room. Our room. You’re staying with me for a bit.”

“What?”

“I just thought that I spend basically every night at your place. So it’s time for you to spend some time at mine,” Marcel says, but he’s not looking me in the eye.

“What aren’t you telling me, Marcello?”

“I want you here because it’s safer. We have this place locked up tighter than Fort Knox. No one can get to you here.”

“Why would someone want to get to me?”

“I don’t know. But I’m working on finding out. These shootings aren’t random, Zoe.”