Page 43 of One
“Rague,” the big guy says.
“One of my kids,” Meg continues.
‘Kids,’I almost snort, especially seeing the size of Rague. I wave his way and he gives me a macho head nod.
“Raphael,” Meg greets him… awkwardly.
He says nothing. Just stares at her, then squeezes my hand and pulls me toward one of the chairs. He takes off my jacket and places it on the back of the chair. Then he waits for me to sit before doing the same next to me. When I lift my eyes, both Meg and Rague look taken aback by his actions.
Before I can focus on that, a stunningly androgynous guy suddenly enters the room. He has long, shiny black hair that touches his shoulders, and a pair of glasses balanced on the tip of his upturned nose. Delicate features form his exquisite face. His skin is almost as light as mine. He flushes when his gaze finds mine, and a timid smile appears on his lips.
“Hi. I’m Sari.” He takes a step in my direction, but Uri appears behind him and grabs his arm, pulling him on the other side of the table to sit next to Rague. Am I that menacing?
I place the linen cloth napkin on my knees. “I’m Michael. It’s a real pleasure, Sari. I follow your work.” I can’t believe medical researcher Sari Bear-Stone is sitting opposite me.
“You do?” His pale blue eyes turn as big as saucers. He can’t be surprised by my groupie-ness. He’s a genius with fans all over the world. Nerdy ones, but still fans.
I nod. “Your research on lab-grown red blood cells is fascinating. Do you really think they’d perform better than donated ones?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Meg smiling, but I’m too invested in Sari’s reply to wonder why she looks so happy.
“They’re all fresh, so yes. Donated ones contain cells of varying ages, while manufactured cells last longer in the body,” he easily explains.
“Patients who regularly need blood may not need transfusions as often.” I bet everybody can hear the awe filling my voice.
“I can show you some of the results if you like.” Sari’s words just make my fucking day.
I see Uri opening his mouth with a sour expression on his face, but Raph cuts in before his brother can express his displeasure. “We can come to your lab on Wednesday. I need to check a few things at the office.” He takes my hand and places it on his knee, holding it there. And I let him since I’m a bit intimidated by the people around me. His family, who I want to like me, right?
Sari nods again.
“Great,” I hurriedly say, not trying to hide my enthusiasm.
“You’re late! I’m starving,” Uri abruptly barks, and I turn once again toward the door, where a blonde man in a three-piece blue suit is standing. His cold, grey eyes land on me, making me shiver with discomfort. He looks confident and fancy, exuding power all around.
“Why didn’t you eat at one of your burger shacks?” he placidly offers.
“Shacks? Too average fast food for the big shot lawyer?” Uri’s annoyance is evident in his retort.
Meg is lifting her eyes heavenward in a give-me-some-patience-dear-lord expression.
“Yes,” the guy deadpans, unbuttoning his suit jacket before sitting at the head of the table
“You got issues,” Rague interjects. “Burgers are one of the foundations of this country.”
“It actually started in Medieval Russia, where soldiers ground the meat to make it easier to eat. Then it moved to fourteenth-century Germany, where they added spice to the meat and, finally, the US…”
“Whose side are you on?” Uri raises his pierced brow at Sari, shutting him up.
“Not on the cheap burger side, I presume.”
“Gabe, you unfeeling machine, take that stick out of your ass.” Rami stalks into the room, snorting at the elegant dude before flopping himself on the chair next to mine. “Hey Mike, how’s the family meeting going so far? Am I still your favorite bro?”
“You wish,” I sniff.
“Ready to bolt yet?” he stage-whispers, placing his open hand near the side of his mouth.
I narrow my eyes at him, but it’s Raph’s growl that make him huff.
