Page 53 of Sacrifice

Diego smirks at me. "Believe me, as soon as you get settled, I'm going after Bianchi's daughter."

Miguel clasps his hands on Diego's shoulders. "Don't even think about it. You’ve got a damn truce, remember?"

Diego wiggles his eyebrows. "For now." He looks at me. "Or I could go get your girl for you."

My blood pressure rises and I move so fast, I surprise not only my brothers but myself. "Over my fucking dead body."

They both laugh at me, and I realize I fell into their trap. "Works like a charm every time,hermanito. Remember the car you wanted at sixteen, but you were on the fence about it?"

I growl. "Yeah, yeah. Diego went to dad and got the car. I was left with the damn truck.”

"And Dad told you to never hesitate. I thought you learned that lesson," Miguel chuckles.

Looking at both my brothers smiling at me, I sigh. "Okay. Okay. I'm worried she's going to turn my ass down. Fuck, she has every right to do so."

"I know. But you have to give her that choice,hermanito. Otherwise, you're never going to know if she chooses you."

"Goddamn it. Fine. Don't fuck with my T.V. channels while I'm gone."

Diego busts out laughing and Miguel snorts so loudly, it causes all three of us to laugh. I walk out, leaving these two knuckleheads to their laughter.

Walking into the kitchen, I see the new chef. "Hello, Vincent. Are you finally going to eat now?"

"Jorge, can you fix a picnic basket?"

He claps his hands and winks. "Bet your ass I can. It will be ready in ten."

"Thanks, I'm going to get cleaned up." As I walk up the steps to the bedroom, I wonder if maybe it's time we built a new house. The death within this house and blood that’s been shed maybe Aribella wouldn’t want to be here with all that.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Fourteen days, eight hours, and two minutes. That's how long I've been at the Powers' mansion. I'm not ungrateful to be here. Not at all. It's simply one of the best places I've ever been. But I want to go home. Sure, I’ve lived like a princess in this place, but I want to see my sweet baby and I yearn to be in my own bed.

On top of that, I know what's wrong with me. Vincent has not been here. Nor has he called for me. Is this his way of saying I'm free? Couldn't he have told me? Instead, I'm left to wonder if I went through all of this craziness because of him for nothing.

"Hey."

Espresso comes running into the room and I squeal. Charlotte follows him and I smile at her.

"Hi Charlotte." I take the cup she offers me and the strong smells of cinnamon and chocolate hit me.

"Hot chocolate." She sits down next to me and smiles. "It makes everything better."

I can't help but smile when she's around. I've tried not to, but she keeps at you until you have no choice but to cave to her infectious personality.

"Thank you." I inhale the sweet scent and take a swig.

"The Doc said you're free to go. That the wounds, while still not fully healed, are looking great. Of course, you are more than welcome to stay with us if you so choose."

Charlotte picks up my sweet boy, and he curls into her arms. A blush overcomes me and I look down. "I don't have anywhere to go," I whisper

"You don't?"

My head pops up, and Vincent is there, in the doorway, looking like a dark knight. His hair is combed into spikes, his beard is a bit more scruffy than I remember, and he’s wearing an all black suit with a yellow tie.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Charlotte says and scratches Espresso’s ear before she hands him to me as she leaves.

I hold my cat like a shield, afraid of what Vincent may say or do. Still, I keep my gaze on him. There's no way I'm going to let him know how much he affects me.

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