“I am a fully grown adult who can handle bad news. It’s disappointing that my own brothers don’t trust me.” I spat, sparing nothing.
“Is that why you didn’t bother to reveal your blog? And the Mother Teresa activities that could have gotten you killed?” Rhett snapped back, his eyes flashing with anger.
“Do you think you would have allowed me to continue if you’d known?” I challenged him back, meeting him eye to eye.
“Stop it!” Noah intervened, taking over as the big brother, as always. “If you want us to treat you like an adult, then act like one. Any more anonymous virtual presence and activities that you have hidden, this is the right time to bring them out. And for fuck’s sake, do not put yourself at risk.”
“And you,” he turned to Rhett. “Stop fighting with her.”
Both of us immediately shut up, automatically respecting Noah’s authority. Before we could speak again, we heard a faint noise from behind.
“Ka… Katy,” Barun’s voice rasped low, making me gasp. Immediately, I ran to the bed, kneeling beside the bed.
“Barun?” I held his hand, tears pooling in my eyes. I sniffled, glad he was awake. At last.
“I’ll call the doc,” Rhett announced before walking out.
Noah walked to the other side of the bed. Placing a hand on Barun’s shoulder, he squeezed it gently. “Welcome back.”
With a look that said our earlier discussion wasn’t over, he stepped back just as the doctor and a nurse arrived.
#19
Barun
It had been a week since I’d come out of my sedation. I’d heard the conversation between Katy and her brothers, enough to know she deserved better. From all of us. Now, with the dressing freshly done over the stabbing, I shrugged into a shirt. I was staying at Gio’s for the time being until my recovery was complete.
Katy hadn’t come in after I’d regained consciousness and moved to Gio’s. She’d avoided me, adding to my frustration. I yearned for a glimpse, wanting to touch her just once more. I missed her attention, the way she played push and pull until I gave in, and the sass she used to hide her shyness. In short, every little thing about her.
Sighing, I prayed the day would go right. If everything went well, I would certainly spend more time in Honey Valley. Swallowing the sudden nervousness, I brushed my hair and walked down after slipping on my shoes.
“Going somewhere?” Gio was making breakfast for his wife, Izzy.
I cleared my throat. “Yes! I… umm… have to discuss something important with the brothers.”
He flipped the omelet and turned to me, his expression grave. “Should I be concerned?”
“No, I’ll handle it.” Before he could question me further, I walked across the lawn, into the Falcone mansion. As soon as I entered the main door and walked across the foyer, I saw Katy walk down the stairs. She froze on the last stair, looking at me with haunted eyes. Her dark eyes seemed to yearn for me as much as I did for her.
She looked stunning in a black dress, her long, silky hair braided. My fingers itched to hold the braid while my body did unspeakable things. As if she could sense my thoughts, a flush covered her cheeks, and her breath shortened. Before I could speak to her, one of the men led me to the study. With one last piercing look, I walked ahead, feeling the heat of her stare.
After a brief knock, I entered the study to see Rhett seated behind the huge desk. Behind me, the door opened and Noah entered the room.
“Sit,” Noah ordered, before sitting on the couch, crossing his legs in a casual move.
I sat down on one of the chairs, moving it to face both the brothers.
“I’m glad you’re okay, Caruso. What can we do for you?” Rhett held his pen, looking at me expectantly.
“I want to marry your sister. I love her.” There wasn’t any point in beating around the bush.
Immediately, Rhett got up, tugging me from my seat by holding the lapels of my shirt. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“How long has this been going on?” Noah, on the contrary, seemed to be cool. With a frown, Rhett noticed his brother’s reaction, mirroring my confusion.
“Do you know about this?” Rhett growled at Noah, continuing to hold on to my shirt.
“Sit down, Rhett.” Noah’s command was sharp, years of being the Don coming through his demeanor, although he’d stepped back after Jasmine had entered his life.
