“It’s okay.” I kiss the top of her head.
“I don’t like touching men.”
“I don’t particularly like men touching you either,” I grunt. “Even if they are family.”
“They’re going to wonder what we’re both doing in a bathroom, Lex.”
“Lorenzo will just think I brought you in here to fuck you.” I laugh.
Addison pulls back. Her eyes widen in horror. “Oh, god, no.”
“Relax. He won’t care.”
“I care, Lex. I don’t want people to think that of me.”
“I just wanted to give you a moment,” I tell her.
“Thank you, but let’s go before they really do get those ideas.”
I lead her back out. Lorenzo is waiting at the end of the hall. He eyes Addison up and down briefly before he flicks his glare to mine, a silent question he’s not going to verbalize. I give a slight nod, and he clears his throat. “All right, this way.”
When we reach the dining room, Kyla is fussing with flowers in the center of the table. Not sure why. Everything is fucking impeccable in this house.
“Oh, you’re here. Welcome.” She comes up to me. “Lex, it’s been a long time,” she says, kissing my cheek. “And, Addison, I’m so thrilled to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Addison says.
“Come sit down. I didn’t know what you would like, so I had the chefs prepare a variety,” Kyla says, leading us to the table. There are two extra place settings.
“You expecting other people?” I ask Lorenzo.
“Zara,” he says.
“Zara eating for two these days?” I question, nodding to the plates.
“God, I hope not,” Kyla groans. “She’s dating Ares De Bellis. He’s coming with her.”
I turn to Addison and explain, “Zara is Kyla’s sister. Ares is Marcel and Zoe’s nephew.”
Addison nods her head. “I think I’m going to need a map of your family, Lex.”
“You and me both.” Kyla laughs. “There’s so bloody many of them.”
“I’m here.” Zara walks in with Ares. I’d heard through the grapevine that they were dating. It’s fucking weird to see them together and him still breathing, though. Zara and Kyla’s father is a psychopath, and I would know, because I have the same murderous tendencies as him.
Kyla introduces them both to Addison.
“I would shake your hand if I didn’t think your boyfriend would cut it off,” Ares says to Addi.
“I’m going to cut your fucking tongue out if you don’t shut the fuck up,” I grunt at him.
“He wouldn’t cut it off. Lorenzo already told him he couldn’t get blood on the floors.” Addison smiles.
“I can do a lot of damage to a hand without spilling a single drop of blood,” I warn Ares.
“Oh, I know.” The asshole smirks and walks around to the other side of the table.
I sit down next to Addison and start counting down the minutes until we’re alone again.
