Page 57 of Vicious Behaviors

“I know it isn’t because I’m not laughing.” She grins at him.

“Just go home. I don’t trust her.”

“And I’m telling you… you don’t trust anyone. Why should Izzie be any different?”

“Because she is,” he grunts.

Stella’s hand drops from his shoulder.

“You’re seeing things that aren’t there. Just chill, Mar. Relax. Isn’t this gym supposed to be like your happy place?”

“Not anymore,” he mutters, turning his attention back on me.

I spin around quickly, pretending to check my schedule on the clipboard, just in time to avoid his scrutinizing gaze. Only once I’m sure he’s no longer watching do I glance back toward them.

“But since you’re here,” Marcello says, lowering his voice, “there’s something else I want to talk to you about.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t act surprised. I know you know exactly what I’m about to say.”

“I have no idea,” she replies, feigning innocence.

“What’s going on with you and Petrov?”

“You’ll have to be more specific. There are lots of Petrovs.”

“But only one that you let manhandle you.”

“Kill did not manhandle me,” she snaps.

“Kill?” Marcello runs a hand down his face. “Please don’t tell me that’s his nickname.”

“Hey, I didn’t give it to him. Don’t look at me,” she pouts.

“But I am looking at you. You didn’t put that asshole in the ground when you had the chance. He kidnapped you, Stella.”

“Technically, he didn’t kidnap me. It was Frankie he wanted.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?” he asks in outrage.

“You weren’t there, Mar. You didn’t see how much his family wanted Frankie back in their lives.”

“Enough to put a bullet in you,” he groans. “or did you forget you got shot just so they could have their big family reunion.”

“You can’t put that on Kill. It wasn’t his fault his guy got triggerhappy. Besides…Killhandledit.”

“And now you’re making excuses for him. That’s not like you,” he says, eyeing his sister with concern.

“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not acting like myself? Please! What about you? You’ve been off for over a month now.”

He bows his head and grunts, “I know. I’m… working on it.”

“Well, work harder. And don’t take your frustrations out on me. I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” he challenges, arching a brow. “Because Anna’s been talking to me. She’s worried about you.”

“She told you that?” Stella’s voice softens at the mere mention of her sister.