Page 122 of Blood & Lace
Adam leaned back in his seat. “So… they’re all fucking insane?”
I sighed. “Yes, and I’d judge, but I mean… look at us. By the way, you going along and letting me think Lucero kidnapped you? Not cool. I’m stealing all the food he made from your freezer.”
Adam’s jaw dropped. “The fuck you are, Louis!”
“Luci, don't steal from your brother. Elia, no violence at the dinner table. Adam and Onyx?” Lilian said sternly. “Don’t make me have to get out of this seat and smack both of you upside the head,” she said, her eyes gleaming dangerously.
Adam and I immediately shot upright. “Yes, ma’am,” we said in unison.
Samson chuckled. “Just like old times.” He placed a kiss on his wife's hand before smiling at the rest of the table.
Damian came in and clapped his brothers on the back. He kissed his mom’s cheek and then he paused when he saw me and Lucero. I watched as his shoulders relaxed.
“Thank fucking God,” he muttered.
“Language,” Lilian ground out through clenched teeth. “Can you all at least pretend to be civilized?”
“Sorry, Ma,” Lucero called, his cheek stuffed with food.
The woman let out a long-suffering sigh. “We have too many children. Dominique, this is Onyx, Lucero’s husband.”
The guy that walked in with Damien lifted his head, his brown skin smooth as his curls framed his face. “Yo, nice to meet you.” His eyes fell on Adam. “You two really look alike.”
Adam jolted next to me, and I frowned. “Do you two know each other?”
“Nah,” Dominique said, as Adam quickly stuffed pasta in his mouth. “You two just have similar features.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Right.” I said. “And Lucero, you are so full of s—” I stopped as I saw Mrs. Marino’s eyebrow lift. I cleared my throat. “You’re so full of it! All that acting like you were broke.” I waved a hand around. “Look at this place. It’s nice!”
Mr. Marino laughed. “Onyx, I have money,” he said. “My sons have nothing. That’s why my kids aren’t little assholes.” He paused. “Well, that’s notwhythey’re assholes.”
Lilian sighed. “Honey.”
“Sorry, my love,” he said as he reached over, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles before he turned back to me. “My rules have always been the same. You want something? You go get it. You need something?” He lifted his head. “You come talk to me.”
My chest squeezed. He was the type of father I wish I had. Lucero had gotten lucky; both of his parents were amazing. His mother even reminded me of my own. Stern, but sweet. Firm, but comforting.
Prince, a handsome, lack man down at the other end of the table, finally snorted. “Yeah, he’s a real big stickler for that. It’s why Lucero had to use all his savings to have your wedding. He’s tapped out, for sure. Keeps asking me to send him cash for presents.”
Lucero’s face went red. “Prince!”
“What?” he asked. “It’s true, little brother. Everyday on my phone. ‘I just need another hundred. I don’t wanna work today. Onyx is tired. Or sleeping on me. Or working and I don’t wanna go in. Send me money anyway,’” he said, imitating Lucero.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head. “Unbelievable.” I glared at Lucero. “You don’t even need money!I have money,” I said. “You’ve got your family thinking I don’t take care of you?”
“I know.” He squirmed in his seat. “No, it’s not like that! I just like buying you cute stuff, or dessert, or new dresses,” he muttered.
I stared at him. Fuck, he was cute. Really cute.
“Go. To. Work,” I said finally. “Or you’re sleeping on the couch for a week, Luci.”
Lucero’s groan, his brother’s laughter, and his parents shaking their heads made me smile. I drank my wine as Lucero held onto me, practically on the verge of sobbing. For the first time in a long time, I was still scared of opening up. But I was here, I was open.
And this family? They healed something in me.
I loved all of them.
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