Page 45 of The Veiling

Joseph cocked a brow. “How do you not know if you did or not?”

“I don’t know. I said I hoped Marco would warm up to me because I wanted to be with her forever.”

“What about me?” Marco approached us, sitting next to Noah.

Joseph smiled mischievously.

I folded my arms. “Noah proposed to Laura.”

Marco jerked his head back. “What?!”

“I did not fucking propose to your sister.” He darted his eyes back and forth between Marco and me. “I just told her I wanted to be with her forever.”

“So, you’re serious about her,” Marco tilted his head, “or did you get her pregnant?”

“What?!” Noah snapped. “No, I didn’t get her pregnant.”

He shifted in his seat, taking turns making eye contact with each of us. “Listen, I really like Laura…I mean, I love her. I would do any fucking thing for her, but I will never officially propose to her unless I get permission from any of you and your fam.” He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I would also make sure I had a ring and did the whole romantic thing because that’s what I want her to have. I would never propose to her after sex like—” He immediately shut up.

Our eyes all broadened at his slip up.

“I just want it to be romantic,” he respired. “Fuck. I digress.”

Marco and I exchanged an amused glance. Noah was never one to get uncomfortable about much. As far as I was concerned, he had more than earned his place in my family. He was already family to me, anyway. I had no doubt he would make a great husband for Laura one day. After her past, she deserved a man like him. He annoyed me and it took a lot for me to like and trust him, but now he would have my blessing when he asks.

“I’m not sure what to say about any of this,” Marco replied, shaking his head.

And then there was Marco. In my opinion, he did not have the right to question anything until he had proven his own loyalty. I chose to stick up for Noah this time.

“After pretending to be dead while I blamed myself, you don’t really get much of a say yet.”

He cocked a brow. “But I still care about her a lot. You know that.”

“I know,” I nodded, “but Noah has been around, and he’s been loyal to the family. He’s put himself in danger for all of us and risked his life to save Isabelle as well.”

“And,” Noah chimed in, “you and I should talk soon.”

“We’ll see.” Marco stood and strode toward the front of the plane. He leaned over, whispering something to Amanda, the flight attendant.

She peered up at him, grinning sheepishly before he twisted back to me. I shook my head, knowing exactly what he had just asked her to do. He sarcastically pouted before she slid over and he sat next to her.

Joseph snorted. “You haven’t killed him yet.”

“I really hope he doesn’t fuck this up, J.”

“I have faith in him this time,” Joseph stared at the front of the plane, where Marco now had his hand entwined in Amanda’s hair and was kissing her. His other hand wedged between her legs under her skirt. “Eh, I think.”

“I’m trying.” I reclined my seat back again. “I’m less worried about myself now, and more worried about what our parents will say when they see him.”

“What’s really on your mind? I know there’s more.”

“I don’t know if I trust this Hayden guy,” I admitted.

“We don’t really have a choice right now.”

The moment we landed in Colombia, we were escorted to Miguel Alvarez’s mansion. Joseph had spoken to the drug lord, securing our stay while he was still in New York. The woman he hadwonat the masquerade had apparently captivated him, and in exchange for our silence about their little getaway after the gala, he would allow us to use his home, weapons, and any of his men while in Colombia. While it was a kind gesture, I did not want anyone else involved.

It had been years since I last graced the estate with my presence. Everything had remained somewhat the same. The contemporary façade was custom designed by Miguel himself. A mix of white and tan stucco, brick, and wood paneling gave the exterior of the home depth. The interior was minimalistic and clean. The mansion looked like it had never seen a child or pet, anywhere. Entering through the foyer, we gathered in the two-story living area.

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