“It’s okay. And now I understand your warning to stay away from the soul-sucking bitch.” Even though I said the words, something in Cian’s expression told me there was more to her story. I chose not to ask. “C’mon, I’ll fill you in.” Together, we walked to the girl’s bathrooms as I recounted the last few minutes.
Later that afternoon when I got home, I was gobsmacked once again to find Davien in my kitchen. This time he was helping himself to a slice of pizza.
“W-what—” I floundered for a second. “What are you doing here?”
“I made pizza.” He pointed to the large pan as he took a bite of the pepperoni slice, he held in his hand.
“Wait. You made pizza in our oven? How—”
“Hey, Lee.” Eliana walked in and grabbed a slice of pizza. “Thanks, Davien.” She was gone, leaving me gawking after her. Then something clicked. He was in our home alone with my sister. Fuming, I jerked my scowling eyes back to the boy who used our kitchen like it was his home. “If you touched my sister, I’ll gut you with a meat cleaver and throw your bones in the pizza oven to burn,” I gritted.
“Woah, princess.” His laugh further annoyed me and I charged at him unsure what I was going to do. But he was too quick. Dropping the slice to the tray, he grabbed my hands and pinned them behind my back. “You really are beautiful when you’re angry, you know that.” His gray eyes danced with mirth and I struggled against his hold. “I’m not doing anything to your sister.”
“Good, I see you met Davien, sweetheart.” Dad walked in, not caring that Davien was still holding me prisoner. He picked up a slice and bit into it. “Tasty as always, son.”
“Son?” I yanked my arms from Davien’s grip, and he let me go. “Dad?” I shifted questioning eyes between the two of them.
Dad looked confused for a second then he laughed. “You didn’t tell her you’re my adopted son, Davien?”
“No, dad.”
“What the hell,” I yelled. “He’s your adopted son? Why am I the last one to find out stuff?” I grumbled and moved to walk away.
“Levana, sweetheart,” Dad stopped me and when I turned it was to find both smiling. He slid an arm around my shoulders and drew me close to his side. “Davien lives across the street. His father travels often and when I moved into the area four years ago, he saw me fixing my bike one day, came over and began tinkering with the bike. I let him. He filled the void you and Eliana left, so I kind of adopted Davien as my son.” He kissed the top of my head. “I asked him to watch over the two of you when you moved here.”
“God, you’re such a creep.” I threw a dishrag at a hysterical Davien. “I’m watching you, princess,” I repeated his threat that morning I found him in the kitchen. “Seriously? You could’ve just said something.”
“You should’ve seen your face, it was so worth it scaring you,” Davien teased.
“Ha ha, you’re funny.” I scowled.
“Friends.” He held out a hand.
“Friends.” I accepted his handshake.
San Francisco – Another Three weeks later
