Page 463 of Dark Love

“So why aren’t you ready to kiss Vex?”

That change in topic makes my head spin. “He could not be ready.”

Hope’s eyebrow practically touches her hairline.

“Men can be just as unprepared to have sex as women.”

“Not men that are willing to fight my dad over you. My dad can fight. Not many men can stand up to him. One of my sort of uncles and Nonno.”

“Sort of uncles?”

“You know I have a huge family.”

That’s hard to miss. The neighborhood is filled with her family.

“My mom’s best friend is mostly my aunt too, even though we aren’t related at all. Her husband, Aleksei, is scary. Well, he doesn’t scare me, but like everyone else in the world is scared of him. He fights dirty. Isn’t it cool?”

Not even a little bit.

“Sometimes Fire and I get to train with him.”

Guns. Knives. Training. Ack. It kinda sounds more and more like they are in the mafia. Who else would teach their kids all that?

“So, why aren’t you ready to kiss him yet?”

It’s too early in the morning for this. I lift my cocoa to my lips and take a long swallow. “We need marshmallows.”

Hope giggles as I walk into the pantry to get some.

A couple of marshmallows bounce off my whipped cream. So I pop them into my mouth and let them melt. “You know I was roofied a short time ago.”

“Yeah, but still. There’s a scary hot man sleeping with you… you are at least ‘sleeping’ together. Or is he staying in your guest room?”

“Hope!”

“Fine, I won’t ask, but you should ask yourself. This is important.”

That comment was way too mature for her tender age. “When did you turn thirty?”

“When you turned eight.” She nods at my cup full of sugar.

“Touche.”

“I better get back. Dad is waiting for me to start being grounded.” Hope hops up off the chair, setting her empty mug down on the counter.

She could pretend to be a little more upset about being grounded. “Thanks for checking on me.”

Hope pauses. “If you change your mind about my dad…”

“Even if things don’t work out with Vex, I’m never going to be more than friends with your dad.”

Her shoulders sag for a brief moment. “I know. It was worth a try. See you later.” Hope bounces off.

That child… almost adult is going to run some man in circles. Hopefully, Max doesn’t kill him first.

“Is it ever quiet around here?” Vex steps into the kitchen. His hair is wet from the shower and his chin lacks any stubble.

Don’t think about how terrible you look. Bedhead and morning breath are part of the package if he plans to take this any further. “Sometimes.” I shrug and take another sip.

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