“Maybe that fuels the chemistry I witnessed with the two of you and don’t try and deny it.”
The woman had me blushing while she laughed, even pointing her long, manicured nail at me. “Or we’ll get into another wrestling match.”
As soon as I issued the words, she almost spit out a sip of her latte. “So that’s what was going on. So much for you being an enemy. An enemy with benefits.”
Enemies. It was the second time she’d used the word. Who were the Prince family within New Orleans? I’d already seen the reaction of people when coming into contact with two of them. Most people were terrible at hiding their true emotions, their expressions wearing their thoughts. I’d seen a mixture of respect and fear, which I didn’t get at all.
But Emmeline’s story was only adding to the intrigue.
It was also making me shiver. Italians. Cosa Nostra. I’d known they existed in New York and could have ties to the Five Families. Why not New Orleans? Why did it feel as if my throat was closing?
Breathe. Just breathe.
“You’re terrible.” We sat back, enjoying the peaceful moment. I was very happy that I had Emme to talk to. “How did you come to terms with how you felt about your dad?”
“That took a long time and something I didn’t realize until recently. As I grew up,” she continued, “I started to realize my father was more of an antihero straight out of a romance novel. He adored my mother, showering her with gifts and they continued having date nights even after the fifth kid was born. Yet… I don’t know. I guess the moment I realized my father wasn’t exactly who he said he was fractured my little girl brain just a little. When he died, I was forced to face an ugly fact that I’d learned to shut him out in portions of my life I shouldn’t. I kept him at arm’s length, something I’m forced to live with. Family is important. I can hate Jaxon for his attitude and behavior, but I know he would die for me. That’s the kind of man he is.”
“Maybe your brothers being so protective isn’t such a bad thing.” Why was I defending the man all of a sudden?
“There’s that, but I’m not going to lie in that their… attention can be suffocating. But… there are certainly worse situations to be in. Maybe just talk with him and you two can bury the hatchet. Do me a favor though. Don’t give him another concussion.”
“Ugh. I’m sorry about that. You should remember I’m from New York.” I closed my eyes, finding myself taking shallow breaths.It was truly now or never for admitting my background. Would she understand why I’d lied to her all these years? I guess in a sense her omission of the business her family was in could be considered lying as well. “I need to tell you something, Emme. And I hope you don’t think less of me.”
Emme lifted her eyes and as soon as she did, I realized we were no longer alone.
“Sorry. I had a huge delivery.” Josette had returned, now holding court over the table with a knowing smile. “I heard you talking about family. The Prince family will eventually grow on you.”
Emme lifted her eyebrows and I waved my hand. At first, I would only tell her my secret, and it wasn’t to get back to Jaxon or any of the brothers. I could only imagine what they’d think.
That I was working with their enemy.
“I wish Jaxon didn’t think I was playing some game with him.” Yet I was, at least in a way.
“Take it from me,” Josette said. “Their barks are much worse than their bites. Unless you’re on the receiving end of a vendetta that is. Not the best place for anyone to be. However, I’ll let you in on a little secret. They are very passionate.”
There was the look shared between them again. I still had no idea how to take their comments. Maybe they thought I understood the family dynamics, of which I was clueless. “How long have you been married to Sinclair?”
“Not long. Months,” Josette mused. “Maybe a year.” She laughed. “I’m sorry. I’ve been really busy at the store. Our romance was a whirlwind of anger, spite, passion, and his needto control me. All packaged in a tight Armani suit and thick hair. The most handsome man I’ve ever met.”
All three of us laughed and I could tell she was happy.
“Speak of the devil. There’s my baby.” Josette’s eyes flickered, a slow and sultry smile crossing her face. It took me a few seconds to realize why. Turning my head, my body instantly reacted to what I was seeing outside the huge front window.
Two men.
Both with thick, dark hair. Both towering over almost everyone in the street. The kind of men whose shoulders filled a doorway and whose hands could easily crush a man’s neck. The last thought brought a cold shiver down my spine. I had no idea why a series of dark and violent images rolled into my mind other than from what Emmeline had mentioned earlier.
They commanded the entire street, people on the sidewalk moving away from them as if the force of nature would cripple them. Whatever discussion they were in, it was heated, both their expressions full of discontent.
If not complete anger.
Josette didn’t seem to care, her eyes lighting up. However, Emme was pissed, her face pinched as it had been before when finding him inside her house.
“Looks like our peace is going to be interrupted,” she hissed under her breath just as the two men walked inside.
“What are you two doing here?” Josette asked. “Checking up on the ladies?”
Jaxon’s eyes swept the table, landing on mine. Instantly, his body stiffened, but I was very good at reading minds. His thoughts were as salacious as they’d been the night before and the one before that.
