Page 56 of Vicious Behaviors (The Next Vicious Generation #3)
My forehead creases at the ominous remark, but I don’t have time to dissect Annamaria’s confession since she turns her attention back on me with the same sad smile.
“Can I ask you a favor, Izzie? Would you mind covering for me for just a little bit? I think I’d like to take a walk to clear my head.” She points to the woods with her chin.
“I don’t know, Anna. It’s going to get dark pretty soon.” I glance over at the darkening sky looming above us. “I wouldn’t want you to get lost in the woods in the dark.”
“Don’t worry. I know these woods like the back of my hand. I won’t get lost,” she says, then looks back at the mansion where the partying guests continue to enjoy themselves. “Besides, everyone seems to be having a great time. No one will miss me.”
“That’s not true. Marcello is searching the house as we speak, looking for you.”
“Of course he is.” Her shoulders slump, as if saddened by the fact that she can’t have one minute to herself without someone keeping track of her every move.
“He’s excited about giving you his present,” I explain, trying to uplift her mood. “I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I think you’ll like it. No, I’m positive you’ll love it.”
“I’m sure I will,” she retorts in defeat, not looking one bit enthusiastic about returning to the party, or her gifts for that matter.
Damn it. No one deserves to be sad on their fucking birthday, let alone someone as sweet and selfless as Anna.
“How well do you know these woods again?” I blow out a breath.
The fact that I’m even debating letting Anna wander alone through the woods at night is absurd. However, when her eyes light up with my question, I know I’m seconds away from caving.
“So well, Izzie.” She smiles for the first time. “I promise I won’t take long. Consider it your birthday present to me. Please.”
“Hmm,” I mumble, still unconvinced, looking back at the shadows now immersing the woods, and then back to Anna. “Promise me you’ll be safe?”
“Promise,” she retorts, pure joy back in her stellar blue eyes.
“Okay then. I’ll keep your brother busy for half an hour.”
“Thank you, Izzie,” she says, throwing her arms around me in a hug.
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” I reply, genuinely happy to put a smile on her face.
Annamaria holds on to me, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“Also, thank you for giving Marcello a chance. My brother deserves someone who sees how wonderful he truly is. I’m so thankful he found you.
” Her words leave me tongue-tied, and when she eases out of our embrace, I find her eyes brimming with love and tenderness.
“Marcello doesn’t think he is, but he is a good man—the best man I know.
Make him happy, Izzie. Help him find his way. He’s been lost for long enough.”
With that, she turns her attention back to the woods and strides purposefully in its direction. I watch her disappear amongst the trees, still a bit shell-shocked at how someone so young can be so intuitive and perceptive.
“Izzie!” I hear my name being called out, snapping me out of my stupor. “Is that you?!” I spin around to find Marcello’s fiery-eyed sister, Stella, looking back at me. “Oh my God, it is you!” She laughs, strutting over. “Did Marcello bring you here as his date? ”
I nod, torn between Stella’s bubbling excitement at having me here and Anna’s restless longing to be anywhere else.
“I fucking knew it! I knew my brother had the hots for you.” My cheeks burn at the way her emerald eyes sparkle with the knowledge of Marcello and me being together. “It also explains why he’s been less wound up lately. He’s finally getting some.”
“Stella!” I reprimand with an awkward shriek.
“Am I wrong?” She arches a defiant brow. When I don’t deny it, she laughs. “Yeah, didn’t think so. Good for you.” A smirk tugs at her lips. “Where’s my broody-ass brother, anyway?”
“He’s… um… trying to find Annamaria so we can wish her a happy birthday.”
Stella’s sparkle dims somewhat at the mention of her sister. “Anna is probably hiding somewhere. Crowds and loud parties aren’t her thing.”
“Then why throw one for her?”
“It’s what everyone expects. It would be all over the tabloids if our family didn’t go all out for her sweet sixteen.” Stella shrugs as if her words explained it all. “Don’t worry. She’ll show up. Even if only to blow out the candles on her cake.”
“I hope so,” I say, forcing myself not to glance over my shoulder, wondering if I made the wrong decision letting her wander off alone into the dark.
However, something tells me that Anna’s spent most of her life navigating on her own. A quick stroll across her parents’ property is nothing compared to the lonely challenges she’s already faced.
“Come,” Stella says excitedly, hooking her arm in mine and leading me back to the mansion. “I want to show you off. Everyone is going to lose their minds when they find out Marcello brought a date. Especially our mother. Hope you brought your A-game, babe. Marcello’s the apple of her eye.”
Great. No pressure. No pressure at all. It’s not like I’m about to meet the Red Queen and pray she likes me or anything.
No. It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m totally fine.
Damn it… who am I fooling?