Page 76 of Don't Break My Heart
Thesmellwaftingthroughthe boys’ docks apartment is to die for—garlic, rich tomatoes, and basil maybe. Reef’s arm is still resting on my shoulders; he hasn’t stopped touching me since we left the club. He’s got his happiness back, and it’s so damn good to see.
Romeo’s eyes light up when he sees us together. He has on a crisp black shirt and black slacks with an apron over the top. He looks very domestic, and I can’t help but smirk his way. “Good work,” he tells Reef in a way that implies he’s going to be rewarded greatly for being a good boy and getting me back here tonight.
Onyx follows us in, making himself comfortable on the sofa. He takes up his laptop and glances over it. I look over his shoulder, wondering what he’s up to. He’s watching a security feed but not to a place I recognize, and I remember what Jagger said about him working with Malachi. I can’t believe for all these years I didn’t realize he was working another job. I don’t know what I thought he was doing tapping away at his laptop all the time, but it wasn’t working with my brother.
I pull out of Reef’s grip on me, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. He moves into the kitchen with Romeo, and I lean over the back of the sofa. “What you doing?” I ask Onyx, wondering if I’m about to be shut out again.
“Malachi sent me a quick job to look over. I thought I better get it done before we eat since for the rest of the night, I’ll be busy fucking you,” he says without looking up.
I move around the sofa and sit next to him. “Very presumptuous of you, big guy. Anything I can help with?”
He glances over at me. “Not this time, trouble,” he says, then his attention is back on the feed he’s watching, but his hand comes to my thigh, stopping me from going anywhere else. There is a comfort in it, a feeling of coming home that makes me imagine what it would be like coming home to these guys every day. Not because I have to or because they are holding me hostage to keep me safe, but because this is the life I chose, with all my boys.
Glad Onyx isn’t going to block me out, I lean over and kiss his cheek then relax back into the plush sofa and pull out my phone so I can text Harley.
SLOANE: You’re never going to guess where I am tonight…
HARLEY: With your boys? Good for you, girl.
I smile to myself, feeling content for the first time in so long. There is only one thing missing. But I can’t dwell on him tonight, even if our conversation yesterday has been sitting heavy on my shoulders ever since I hung up on him. I might have been a little harsh, but finding out he was still watching me from afar kind of tipped me over the edge into crazy town. Orlando is the most confusing one of them all. Sending me away, making me feel like shit, then admitting he can’t stop watching me. It’s a whole new level of messed up. And the worst part is I can’t even confront him about any of it because he’s in another country and I can’t call him.
“Dinner,” Romeo announces from the kitchen.
I hop up to go see if I can help him set the table or something. I pop my head around the kitchen wall. “You need a hand?” I smile.
He leans in and kisses my lips. “Go take a seat, I have this all under control.” He pats me on the ass, and I eye him suspiciously. I know he likes to take care of me, but he’s being extra over the top tonight.
I pour myself a glass of water and carry it over to the table. It’s already set with knives and forks, wine glasses, and even fresh flowers and candles. He’s really gone all out. I drop down into one of the seats and take a swig of water. It’s strange to be back in this place. I have such mixed feelings about it now.
We all take our places at the table, Onyx beside me, Reef across. Romeo serves up our plates of parmigiana, mine eggplant and the boys’ chicken. Then he takes his seat at the head of the table, grinning at me like the cat that got the cream.
“What has gotten into you tonight?” I ask, not able to stand it anymore.
“Can’t I just be happy we’re all here together again?”
“I guess.” I shrug, glancing at Reef to back me up that Romeo is being over the top. He just smiles back at me, just as happy.
Romeo goes to fill my glass with wine, and I cover it. “Not tonight, thanks.”
He raises a brow. “What has gotten into you tonight?” he turns my words back on me.
“I’m trying to drink less,” I say quickly, not really wanting to explain.
I feel all three sets of eyes on me, and I know I just shocked the shit out of them. Yeah, okay, I’m a borderline alcoholic, but I own a bar and I grew up in the place. Booze has been around me for as long as I can remember.
“We’re going to need more of an explanation, sweetheart.”
“Agreed,” says Onyx, backing Romeo up.
“Maybe I just don’t feel like it.” I collect my glass and take a sip of water.
“Maybe she’s pregnant,” Reef says, his eyes wide.
I spit my water out in shock. “What the actual fuck. No, I’m not. Shit, you lot just can’t stand not knowing something about me, can you?”
“We wouldn’t be sad if you were. I like the idea of our girl knocked up.” Romeo grins stupidly.
I stare back at the three of them in shock. What the hell has gotten into him tonight? “I’m not pregnant, and just to make it crystal clear, I do not plan on getting knocked up any time soon.”
