Page 61 of Unholy Masks

She blinked, swiping a hand across her cheek.

“I’m sorry I told you not to call me Re-Re,” she whispered.

“It’s fine, Irene.”

“It’s not fine.” Her breath hitched as she blinked up at me. “I was a fucking bitch. A selfish bitch.” She reached for my hand, squeezing it tightly, like she was afraid I might pull away.

“Kat would have smacked me in the head for that. I have no idea why you didn’t.”

My throat ached.

“I—I thought it was for the best. You deserved better than being caught up in my mess.”

“I want to punch myself in the mouth, Yara.” Her grip on my hand tightened. “You’re my sister. You and Kat, you’re both the same to me. You gave me everything, and I threw it back in your face, and I hate myself for it. I’ll always hate myself for what I did to you.”

“No. I know how it feels when your world tilts, when everything breaks, and you don’t know how to face it. You were overwhelmed.”

“I want to come home.” She looked at me like she was waiting for me to say no.

“Of course. Once all of this is over.”

“Can you forgive me, and call me Re-Re?”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“I have to. I was such a shitty bitch to you.”

“You’re not, Re-Re.”

She stood up and sat next to me with a sigh before she placed her head on my shoulder.

We sat like that for a few minutes, neither of us saying anything, but we didn’t have to.

Even though everything else in my life was collapsing around me, this part of my life was steady once again, and that was enough.

“You two can come in now. You’re about as subtle as a pair of elephants wearing steel heels.” Irene laughed.

There was a brief silence from the other side of the door.

Then a soft thud, followed by a whispered, “Shit, move, Ryd!”

The door cracked open, and Enzo and Ryden looked at us with a smile that was more creepy than apologetic.

“If you’re gonna eavesdrop, at least try to be subtle about it,” Irene said with a scoff.

Enzo cleared his throat. “We weren’t eavesdropping.”

“Uh-huh. And I suppose you were just standing outside the door, breathing like creeps for fun?” She shook her head as Ryden took the chair. “Go bring some beer, will you, Enzo?”

Enzo strolled out with a huff and brought back a six-pack.

“So, I suppose this feud is over now?” Enzo said with a smile, looking at Irene. She pouted, and I looked at her with a frown. Was Ryden right? Did she really have a crush on Enzo? “You have been moping.”

“It’s over, and no, I wasn’t moping.”

“Yes, you were,” Enzo said before turning to look at me. “So, what’s new with you, Doctor Death?” he asked, handing a bottle of beer to me.

Irene looked at him with a mischievous smile, and I knew what she was going to do. I glared at her, mouthing shut up, and she shrugged.