“If I find out youwerethe reason for my baby looking like that, Custanzu Valentini, I’ll fry your balls in engine oil and feed them to you. Do we understand one another?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
This man, this killer, peeked at her over his shoulder. “Yes, ma’am.”
She hummed.
And that was that.
As a rush of love flooded me, he stepped onward. I knew one of my sisters fell into place behind us because I heard their lighter footfall. Neev skipped ahead to dart up the stairs first, and I was so grateful because my door was open, ready for Stan to carry me over the threshold.
“You want to go back to bed, Kitty?”
I wanted to be in bedandin his arms, but that didn’t look like it was about to happen.
This whole interaction had been stressful, until he’d come along and defused the situation. It was probably the only time in my entire life that I’d allowed someone to take over for me.
I imbued the word with my gratitude: “Please.”
Neev hurried into the bedroom and stacked a bunch of cushions and pillows against the headboard so that I could sit up easier.
While Stan settled me down, Neev was the one who tucked me into a burrito roll of duvet and blankets.
He backed off until I tugged at his hand. “Stay with me.”
He tried to take a seat at the edge of the bed, but I shook my head.
Neev snorted. “I can see why Raisin’s so damn sure that weekend in Cancún was a setup, K.”
I didn’t bother glowering at her. “It was your gift for doing well in class. That’s all.”
“Oh, I know. But I’m not as naturally suspicious as Raisin is,” she reasoned. “This chemistry you got going on is definitely fire. Which is a miracle seeing as you look like shit.”
“Thanks, Neev,” I groused, finally breaking eye contact with Stan. “What are you still doing here?”
“Ouch! Ma will be in soon. I’d recommend you wait until then for Stan to climb between the sheets with you.”
“She has a point.” Stan shot my sister an appreciative glance. “I’m going nowhere,duci.”
I sulked when he squeezed my fingers before relinquishing control of them and ambling over to the window to sit on the wide, cushioned sill. Seeing Stan in a custom-tailored suit amid my beachcore-themed nook was definitely out there.
Neev, gaze amused, patted the covers. “Need anything, sis?”
“To be left alone?”
“Liunissa,” Stan chided.
I pulled a face. “Sorry, Neev.”
“You’re allowed to be a cunt when you look like that.” Her smug smile turned concerned. “Seriously, holler if you need me.”
“I will. Thanks, Neev.”
Winking at me, Neev departed, leaving us alone.
I returned my focus to Stan, who studied me just as intently. I felt the fire of his interest as it licked at my nerve endings.
“What is it?”
