I laughed and accepted his outstretched hand. "Sounds good."
Tomorrow,I told myself.I'll try again tomorrow.
Chapter 27
Xavier
"And you must be the lovely Rosalee. I've heard so much about you!" Nate flashed a wide smile full of straight white teeth in Rosalee's direction, his arms extended as if he expected a hug.
She tossed her head back and laughed, but I didn't miss the light blush that stained her cheeks. "I am Rosalee, and you must be the brother I've heard very little about. It's nice to meet you, Nate."
Her words stung even though I was sure she hadn't meant them to. For the past few days, she'd been trying to get closer, to learn more about me, and I'd blocked her at every turn, giving her just enough to placate her. "Not much to say," I grunted in reply. "Hands off," I growled at my brother and tugged him away from Rosalee.
"Worried she'll choose the more charming brother?"
Maybe."Hell no."
Rosalee rolled her eyes, but the smile she held was almost affectionate, like an exhausted mother used to the bickering siblings routine. She picked up Violet and held her close to Nate. "And this beauty here is Violet. Violet, this is your Uncle Nate."
My daughter's smile was as wide and wet as it usually was, and when she reached for Nate's tie and shoved it in her mouth, she stole my brother's heart. "Banca!"
Nate's grin widened. "You heard that, right? She said Uncle." He turned to Violet and scooped her up in his arms. "That's right, sweetheart, I'm your Uncle Nate, but you can just call me your favorite uncle because I'll spoil you rotten and bail you out of trouble anytime." He looked at her with such love and adoration in his eyes that it brought a smile to my face. "She's perfect, Xavier."
"She is," I replied through clenched jaws. Violet was going to be loved and cared for the way she deserved.
"The custody paperwork is in that box along with some other things I need you to take a look at." Nate nodded toward the box on the kitchen floor while he cuddled Violet.
My gaze shifted to Rosalee. Her blond brows were pinched into a look of confusion, but she didn't ask any questions. She just looked away, and disappointment hung around her shoulders like an uncomfortable sweater. She wanted to know more, but my reluctance to share was cutting into her resolve to keep trying.
She sighed once and flashed a bright smile. "I'll take her so you guys can talk." She plucked Violet from Nate's hold and cuddled her close as she carried my daughter out of the kitchen without sparing another look in my direction.
She was upset, and when she returned with Violet a few minutes later, both of them dressed to go outside, she fled out the front door without a word.
"Trouble in paradise?" Nate at least waited until we were alone before he asked the question he damn well already knew the answer to.
"What do you have for me?"
Nate laughed because he knew what I was doing, but he grabbed the box and dropped it on the coffee table. He handed me a thick envelope first and smiled. "This is all the paperwork that makes it official, Daddy. Updated birth certificate and custody papers. Medical records and everything else to prove she's yours if you have to. Keep it someplace safe."
"Thanks again, Nate."
"Of course. The rest of this box is business. Your business," he clarified as if I didn't know that. "Now or later?"
"Later." I didn't want to talk about it at all, but I didn't want to hear theit's still your businesslecture for the thousandth time.
"So, about Rosalee," he began with a teasing grin. "I like her. She's beautiful and sweet. What the hell does she see in you?"
I wiggled my brows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Not even a little bit." He rolled his eyes and shuddered dramatically. "But I would like to know more about you and Rosalee."
A low groan escaped because I also didn't want to talk about Rosalee. Not because I was ashamed about what was happening between us, but because I knew I didn't have any answers to his questions. "Must we?"
"Is there a reason you don't want to talk about it?"
Yes."No. I don't know what you want me to say, Nate." I scrubbed a hand over my head and let out a heavy sigh.
"I haven't said anything other than 'tell me more.' How did this happen? Is this just sex, or does it have the potential to turn into something more? Does she know about Triple Horn?"
