Page 121 of Dubious Match
They were lovely, and spoiled me with love and affection. I need to make sure I go see them more often. It’ll just take a little bit of planning to ensure that my parents aren’t over at the same time. It’s sad, but they always manage to make me feel like shit for my life decisions.
“I won’t,” I promise Felix. We’re almost to Malcolm’s parents’ house, where brunch is going to be held.
They said it’s because there is more room there. I suppose that makes sense, but the bubbles of nerves are surfacing even more with Felix’s warning.
“Felix,” Malcolm groans. “Why did you have to put that out into the universe?”
“Hollis needs to know that she doesn’t have to take their shit,” Remy counters.
Brice rubs his face as Malcolm drives through the neighborhood streets as he nods.
“We don’t come home very often, Hollis, because our families don’t understand how we’re best friends and lovers,” he sighs. “I want to clear the air though before we get there. We can leave atany time, and any yelling we end up doing is not your fault in any way.”
Dragging air into my lungs, I nod.
“We’re making them seem worse than they are,” Remy mutters. “They love us. Our parents send us care packages of medicinal balms with CBD that we swear by, but damn can they be overbearing.”
“I get it,” I promise. “I don’t speak to my parents. They want me to be something I won’t ever be.”
“What’s that?” Felix asks as I sit up. We’re almost there and I need to make sure I’m ready. I purposefully didn’t wear makeup so I could nap.
Pulling my makeup bag from my large tote, I shrug.
“Perfect,” I mutter, finding my primer and pumping some into my palm. “I left home at eighteen with few clothes, a borrowed roll of toilet paper, cleaning supplies in a huge suitcase, and eight hundred dollars in my pocket. It was easier to leave and strike out on my own than to get roped into debuting into society in an effort to find a pack that my parents thought would be the best option according to them.”
“I thought arrangements like that were considered archaic,” Brice says.
“While they are, the mafia and the rich still do it. Now, packs come to me to play matchmaker instead of their families. I care about compatibility, while parents are thinking with their wallets and aligned interests,” I reply.
It doesn’t take me long to do my makeup, and in the time we’ve been talking, I’ve already done my foundation and concealer.
“You wanted to give others the chance you didn’t think you’d have,” Malcolm says. It’s not a question, but a statement, because that’s exactly what I did and they know it.
“Yes,” I say. My blush takes seconds to blend in, and then I do a very subtle touch of eye makeup and mascara. My eyes are lined to make them pop, and I swipe lip gloss over my lips to finish. “When I do see my parents if I need to attend a party or event, Cian or my grandfather will run interference. The Senior Families outside of those two people don’t really know that I don’t speak to my parents, so it can occasionally get very awkward.”
“Can I ask a question?” Brice asks, turning in his seat. His eyes widen slightly as I put my makeup away, and my lips twitch as I nod. I know he thinks I’m beautiful, but it’s fun to see their reactions when I apply makeup. “God, I’m not going to be able to stand without my erection showing. Thanks for that, baby. Anyway, how do people get on the Senior Families list? Are they voted in or something?”
“You’ve been thinking about this for a while,” I tease him. “There are prominent families in the mafia world with wealth and status. The eldest male in the family is typically inducted into the Senior Mafia Families to help steer the direction we want to continue to head in. Sometimes, that also means resolving feuds between people.”
“So it can only be men?” Felix asks, making a face.
“Historically it was, until recently. A woman who became the last person in her family after her mates killed her father was inducted into the group,” I explain. “Adira is doing a great job at equalizing their voices.”
“Don’t they have meetings with you?” Mal asks shrewdly.
“Are you asking if your omega is secretly a mafia badass?” I ask, laughing.
“I’m asking if it’s possible that you’ll inherit that position,” he says.
“I haven’t thought much about it,” I admit. “My grandfather is healthy, and full of very strong opinions. I get pulled intomeetings whenever there’s something I can help with. However, it’s not very often. Cian just swings by my office when he needs me.”
“I’m in awe of how you so effortlessly straddle that line,” Remy says. “I don’t think it bothers any of us, so long as you’re safe.”
“I always want to come back to you,” I say seriously. “Cian mentioned that I should have a guard. I’m considering it.”
“Really?” Malcolm asks, taking a right hand turn.
“There are a lot of things I can defend against,” I sigh. “Curb stomping, being picked up and thrown into a wall, and so on, aren’t included in that.”
