Page 93 of Blood & Lace
"I don't think that's a good idea. Lou—Onyx wouldn't like that."
"Yes, he would. Now, go shower."
"You don't know him like I do," Adam argued.
Truth hurts. I wanted to know Onyx like no one else, but I knew when it came to family, there were things that they'd know about that no one else was ever privy too. I nodded. "I've seen how he acts around my brothers, and now I know why he gets that sorrowful look on his face sometimes. He's missing his brother."
Adam looked lost for words.
"I'll be waiting. Go get cleaned up." I shooed him off.
At the rate I was going, I deserved the best-husband-of-the-year award.
"Don't go snooping around."
“No promises.”
Adam squinted at me. "There are baby pictures of Onyx and when he was a teen."
"Give them to me now."
"Don't move from the kitchen, and I will hand them over."
I went to the chair and put my hands on my thighs. Joy filled me at the thought of seeing such precious photos. I’d take any and everything I could related to Onyx.
He’s my everything.
24
LUCERO
“Holy fuck, this is so good.”Adam groaned as he forked more food into his mouth. His moans would have made my ma smile. She loved when her food was properly appreciated. “My brother had to have married you for your cooking skills.”
I flipped over the steak and began to baste it, keeping an eye on the time. I didn’t want to make the meat dry or chewy. It was all about the timing when it came to ribeye.
“He does like the breakfasts I make him.”
“You do breakfast too?” Adam’s mouth was full as he spoke garbled French. “Un fils de pute chanceux.”
“Huh?” I shook my head. “Don't talk with your mouth full, and I just thought of a fantastic idea.” I had to be some crazy genius. How in the hell did I continue to come up with the best plans?
Adam cocked a single brow at me, giving the same look my brothers gave me anytime I told them I had an idea. More food was shoveled into his mouth. I wasn’t sure he was even breathing in between bites.
“It’s a good one," I promised.
He didn’t look any more convinced than before. I sat the steak to the side to rest before turning off the burner. I checked on the dish in the oven before grabbing one of the kitchen chairs and twisting it around. I plopped down, the wood creaking with my weight, as I rested my arms on the back of it.
“You can teach me French.”
Adam paused, a fork heavy with food halfway to his mouth. “What?” He blinked at me, his thick lashes fluttering about.
“It’s perfect. You know French, and I want to learn.”
He placed his fork down and met my gaze full-on. He held eye contact all of a few seconds before looking away. "Why can’t Lo—Onyx?”
I rocked back, balancing on two legs for a second before slamming all four back down. “It’s a surprise for him. I want to show him I’m willing to learn his first language.” Although, I'd been trying for years since we first met. I hadn't had any luck in keeping a teacher and learning on my own wasn't possible. I tended to fall asleep, or at worst, forget everything I spent hours reading.
Adam’s nose scrunched up. “Anyone ever told you you're sickeningly sweet?” He took a sip of his drink before sitting back in his chair. There were only two seats, as if he never bothered to get the full set with the round table.
