Red_Roses_and_Black_Dahlias_-_Macy_T

“What the hell was that?” Since when did my sweet little sister slam
doors? Stomp to her room and not even glance at me or say hello?
Maybe it was the hormones? She told me her period had stopped the day
after she bled the first time, exactly like Andrea had predicted.
“I don’t know, she’s been pissy since I picked her up from dance class
earlier. She didn’t say a word during the whole ride.” When I looked at him,
really looked at him, Maddox seemed positively tired.
I knew he pulled almost all nighters working on our case, that he
promised himself he would bring our parents justice. I didn’t know what to
say to that, though. All that mattered to me was that we were safe and
together. As far as I was concerned, I had avenged our parents. I’d probably
spend the rest of my life thinking of that night, but it was worth it. The last
thing I wanted was for Maddox to work himself raw and spiral over a case
that seemed unsolvable. Even if I was still pissed at him.
“Well, looks like you have a knack for pissing off Raymond women.” I
muttered as I wiped my hands and stalked to Sofia’s room.
I could feel his exasperated gaze on me, but I ignored it, too preoccupied
by what was going on with my sister.
When I reached the door, I knocked quietly. I could feel Maddox’s body
at my back and it took all of me not to lean back against him and let him wrap
his arms around me.
A muffled “Leave me alone!” resonated from the other side which told
me Valentina probably had her head against a pillow.
I turned the knob and indeed, there she was, lying on her bed, her face
pressed against a pink pillow, still in her school uniform. I didn’t know if she
was crying exactly, but she sounded upset.