Quay waved his hands in a haughty flourish that had Hill grinning and Quest groaning.
“Twins aren’t really so different. Just keep in mind a few things.”
“Such as?”
“Well,” Quay observed his twin with devilish intent. “There’s always one who’s a stick in the mud and one who’s sexy as hell. FYI,” he knocked a fist to Hill’s forearm, “I’m not the stick in the mud.”
“You should also keep in mind,” Quest interjected with the same sly cool his brother used, “there’s always a brilliant one whose way sexier due to the sheer magnitude of his brilliance and one who wouldn’t know a book if it fell open in front of him.”
Quay cleared his throat over Hill’s laughter. Clearly, he’d intended on grabbing the last word. “You can also count on the sexy one being who the brilliant one’s wife would prefer as a dance partner.”
Hill’s roaring laughter showed no signs of quelling and Quest eventually raised a hand in surrender.
“Do you have any idea how much of this bullshit will come back to haunt you one day, idiot?” Quest could barely speak for laughing.
“He’s right Quay,” Hill chimed in. “Remember you’re raising two sets. Both genders.”
Again, Quay graced his companions with another wave. “I bullshit to keep from crying.”
Laughter went on then for a while.
***
Persephone backed out of the day’s shopping with the others. When she told them why, they were of a plan to back out too. None of her new friends wanted her to feel ganged up on, should things not work out to their hoped for end. Persephone had assured them she was ready to accept whatever ‘end’ was in store. Reluctantly, they left her to her task.
When she arrived in the living room, Fernando was waiting as instructed by Contessa before she left with the others. He greeted Persephone with a slow smile and a measuring light in his translucent stare.
“I was about to have a beer,” he hiked a thumb across his shoulder. “Want one? Sabra’s got almost everything in the fridge and more on tap.” He patted a hand to the glossy cherry wood surface of the bar.
“Any Sam Adams? Lager?” Persephone asked in a hopeful tone as she moved into the room.
Fernando paused for a moment of silent appraisal before he reached for two of the chilled bottles. Once the caps were removed, the two imbibed for almost a minute.
“So Perry,” Fernando sighed, brows rising expectantly, “long time.”
“Not that long,” She met his gaze.
“Right,” Fernando swigged back more beer. “We didn’t get to talk much that day though, did we?”
“No.” She moved from the bar on slow steps, “And saying ‘I’m sorry’ doesn’t cut it- it never will, but I am, Fernando. I am so very sorry. I’d hoped… giving Darby the Austin Chappel painting might spark… something- be some kind of hint that things weren’t settled with the island. I went to the gallery to find Nile, thought my round about action might get the painting to Taurus and the rest of your family. If it worked, I could just stay in the background playing coward, I guess.” She downed more of the brew, appreciating the crisp taste.
“How’d you get it? The painting?” Fernando asked.
“He gave it to me. Austin. Long time ago...me and Hill were still together. I lost touch with him later but I knew anyone on the island would know what it symbolized once they saw it.”
“But...when that plan didn’t work as quickly as I’d hoped…” she sighed, “I went with my...contingency.” She sat on the arm of the loveseat she was about to pass. “At the time it all sounded so logical and...necessary.” She gave a self-disgusted grunt. “By now, everybody knows I tend to act first and regret later.”
“That’s funny. I know a guy who sounds a lot like that.” Fernando moved from behind the bar, leaving his drink behind. “I could introduce you. You guys might have a lot in common.”
Persephone laughed shortly. “I think we’ve met.” She shook her head, sobering. “I just needed you to know that my motives were exactly what I claimed. I wasn’t on a mission from Eva and whatever her plan was, it’s stalled. Mae saw to that.”
Fernando raised his chin. “How do you know that?”
“Eva tracked me down a few weeks after we got Bill back- wanted to talk.”
“About?”
“No Fernando,” Persephone set aside her beer then and tugged a hand through her hair. “I don’t want the details of that conversation in anybody’s head but my own right now.”
“Perry-”
“Fernando trust me. None of you would be thinking of happiness and weddings if I do.”
“Guess I can live with that,” Fernando nodded slow. “I’d rather think about happiness, weddings… and forgiveness.”
“Fernando I didn’t say what I did for you to-”
“I know that,” his words carried a soothing effect. “I also know what Eva had in store for me and my friends. Chances are she had a much more creative way in mind for me to die than being shot. Don’t get me wrong,” he pressed a hand to the front of the rust colored tee that emphasized the intimidating breadth of his chest.
“I would’ve preferred not to have been shot,” he gave her a teasing look of woe, “and I’d appreciate it if you’ll discuss your plans with me before you implement them the next time.”
Persephone was already raising her hands. “There won’t be a next time.”
“Well keep your marksmanship intact just in case, alright?” The laugh crinkles at the corners of Fernando’s bright gaze faded as somberness set in. “Hill’s like a brother to me and we’re about to be family. In a roundabout way you and I are already family- Eva being my...sister and all.” He gave a playful shudder and then nodded toward her. “Anyway, family forgives each other.”
“I think you’d agree that all family can’t be forgiven.” Persephone shook her head in a morose manner as she studied the floor. “It’s not in my power to forgive Eva for any of what she’s done.”
“It’s not in mine to forgive Marcus.” Fernando said then. “Not in my ability or realm of thought to forgive him. I pray my sister is soon rotting with him in hell.”
