“Don’t start,” I sighed. Did they always have to be so mean to each other? The men were quiet at we landed on the first floor. I followed behind Peyton and Zevon stayed by my side. Dominic was only a few steps behind me.
Once in the dining room, I looked down at the floor and wrapped my hands around my middle. I could already feel everyone watching me. Sure, I may have met almost every single one of them, but I didn’t know them. They were just strangers to me.
“Hello, Scarlett,” Ace said. I glanced over at him, seeing that he was standing behind a woman I had yet to meet. “I’m glad to see you today. I’d like you to meet Julie. She’s my oldest daughter.”
I gave a shy wave to the woman. Her black hair was pinned back off her face and she looked extremely bored. Next to her was who I assumed was her husband, as her hand was wrapped in his. His eyes stared at me, causing me to shift from foot to foot. “And that’s Harlow.”
“Good afternoon, Miss.”
I gave a small nod before moving my eyes around the table. There were two other people I’d never met before, one of whom made the hairs on my arms stand on end. The other man held nothing of interest to me, so he returned his attention back to Ace. Hannah and Caesar sat at the other end of the table.
“Have a seat, nipotina,” Ace said, tilting his head to one of the few empty chairs.
“Go on,” Zevon whisper in my ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I followed Peyton to an empty place by Caesar. He pulled the chair out and waited till I sat before pushing it in for me. I kept my eyes down towards my lap as Zevon took a seat beside me and Dominic took one across from me. At least the three people I knew and trusted more than anyone else here were at the table, and that was saying a lot.
“Surprised you showed up, Dominic. When was the last time you actually joined us for Sunday brunch?” Caesar asked.
“A while ago,” he answered, pulling out his phone. “I don’t do drama.”
“I have no idea why Ace lets you get away with it,” he went on. “My family is here every week, on time.”
“And I’m not. I have other requirements to attend to on Sundays.”
“Sure you do, boy.”
Dominic didn’t say anything else as his eyes met mine. He gave me a one-shoulder shrug before returning his eyes to his phone.
“Ah, that’s why,” Caesar said, leaning back in his chair. “I should have guessed.”
“You know,” Peyton said, drawing the attention to himself and off of me, “I was thinking I’d make those cookies I promised Scarlett later today.”
“Oh yes, I forgot you said you would do that,” Hannah smiled. “I think that’d be a great idea.”
“You should join us, Mom,” Peyton offered.
I felt her gaze on me, and I glanced up through my lashes at her before giving her a small smile. It was going to be as close to an apology as she’d get from me.
“Shall we say grace before we eat?” Ace asked, gaining everyone’s attention. Once everyone had taken their seat, heads bowed, he said a quick prayer over having the entire family together. Then, the food was passed around.
I didn’t take much, knowing I’d only be able to handle a few small bites. So many eyes bouncing back and forth between me and Dominic made me on edge.
“So, Zevon,” Ace said from the other end of the table. “How’s that package coming along?”
“Fine, sir,” he answered.
“Good to hear. Good to hear.”
“So, Scarlett,” Julie asked. “What do you plan to do with your life?
“Uh…I don’t know.”
“You must know what this family does by now. Do you plan to take part in it, or will you go about your way?”
“Julie,” Ace hissed. “Now is not the time for that. She’s still healing.”
“From what? I bet every woman sitting here has been through that.”
