"Thank you, Mr. Fierro."
"Nothing like that. Call me Leandro. We're family, child."
Raven hugs her father, making him smile.
"Is that a Huang Shea?" Abriana asks, as she looks at me for once. Usually, she ignores Serena and me.
"It is, Mother. Isn't it beautiful?" The woman just nods. I hate how no matter what Raven does, it isn't enough for her mother.
"You both look like fairies," her little brother says.
"Thank you, rat."
"Raven, stop calling your brother names. It's unbecoming. What will the Bournes think of you?" Abriana sounds as if her daughter walked here naked.
Raven stiffens and looks up. Her brother Enzo is just fourteen years old. He and Raven look nothing alike. Where she's all angel-like, in him, you see the brown hair and soft, soon-to-be deceiving smile and eyes.
"Will you be my girlfriend for today?" Enzo's voice is adorned with mischief, letting me see the future mafia man who already lurks somewhere deep inside.
"Remove the milk from your face first, kid." It's Killian. Today, his attire is respectful. None of his tattoos are visible, and his hair is slicked back. I can see the man he'll be in a few years. Powerful, cruel, and nothing I deserve.
"Hello, son."
"Uncle," Killian acknowledges.
I notice their greetings are nothing like the smiles they usually give each other on holidays and family dinners, which tells me this thing tonight is all for show.
"Where are your friends?" Abriana asks. "Liam hasn't shown his face. He needs to be next to Raven." The woman acts as if Raven will run away with the first man at this party who approaches her. Not that I would blame her if she did. Scratch that. I'd cheer her on.
"He's with his parents. They will be here soon, Aunt."
The last word from Killian's lips comes as sharp as a knife. I assume Abriana noticed because she only nods and looks at her half-empty glass.
"Maricela, can I steal you for a second?" I gape at him and nod like a puppet. What the hell is wrong with me? I walk away, looking at the people who know for a fact that we're a thing, next to those who don't know and can't.
"Come here," Killian growls, fucking growls in my ear as he pulls me into the kitchen.
"Are you crazy? Your family could see. Your father could see."
"I don't care. You look like a dream, and all I want is to tear this dress off you and make you wear a potato sack or something."
"Killian," I complain when he reaches for the cleavage with his tongue. "We can't. It would be a scandal."
"I don't care. I need to know you're thinking about me somehow, or I will lose it."
"Jealous?"
"Isn't it fucking clear as this creamy skin of yours?"
"I always think about you." Where did that come from?
"Do you now?" I can feel his smile on my skin.
"Don't be smug. And don't leave a mark. I'll never live it down."
"I don't give a fuck."
"Killer, it's not our night. Tonight is about Connie. I can't ruin it for her."