“Not anymore,” Killian said, a hint of sadness in his tone. “Back when our grandparents were alive, that would have been true. She was the classiest lady around, but she was still grounded. She was always fussing over us all like a mother hen and cooking something for whoever was around.”
“Who stays here now?” I asked, trying to remember if they’d ever mentioned anyone else.
“We run the family now, but our uncle runs this house… or likes to think he does,” Keir explained. “He wasn’t pleased when we got the Family’s support to take over; he felt it was his rightful place, and if he could have handled it, it would have been. He’s too big of a gambler to have this kind of responsibility.”
“Fair,” I said, letting Keir take my hand as Ky’s moved to my lower back on the other side.
“Don’t let him corner you. He’ll try anything to shake us, and he thinks we don’t notice his attempts to undermine us,” Killian warned as we walked in the front door.
“Does he usually live here alone?”
“No, there are cousins and other families that settled here, including our great-aunt, Angelina. We take care of our own, so it’s open to whoever needs it,” Killian explained. Before we could ask anything else, a man walked out, his beaming smile bright and one hundred percent fake.
“Dear nephews,” he greeted with a grand wave of his hand in welcome. It was exaggerated and weird, but I gave a smile anyway. His dirty blond hair was mixed with silver and slicked back with enough gel that it appeared as slimy as his voice sounded. He looked like he belonged in a pool hall with his buttoned-up short-sleeve shirt. It was open at the top to show his gray chest hair, a thick silver chain tangling in it and making me want to cringe.
“Uncle Hector.” That was all the guys gave him, a nod and that basic acknowledgement before brushing past, Hector’s face falling as soon as they moved away.
The dining room they led me to had a table similar to the one in the cafe, but much more expensive-looking, the dark wood glossed to a perfect shine. The runner even looked like it was woven with pure gold, and the candlesticks running down the middle were polished to perfection, already burning in anticipation of the meeting.
“My boys!” an old woman crowed as she entered the large room, setting a huge bowl on the table before rushing around it. She was a tiny thing, barely five feet tall with a white ballerina bun. Her apron was covered in food, but the guys didn’t hesitate to hug her, sweet smiles on their faces. It was honestly the first soft side of them I’d truly seen. Who the fuck are these pod people?
“Aunt Angelina, it’s good to see you,” Keir greeted, wiping off his suit when she released him and moved on to Kyrell. After giving him an equally tight squeeze, she ended with Killian by pinching his cheeks and fussing over them.
“It’s a good thing you called a meeting; you look like you could use some of my cooking,” she chastised, waving a knotted finger at them.
“We always look forward to you spoiling us,” Kyrell said, giving her a wink.
“We have someone we want you to meet,” Killian said, and Angelina froze, glancing around until her eyes landed on me and Dani. Dani, the traitor, pointed at me, biting back laughter. She wanted no part of the spotlight, and I couldn’t blame her.
“Come here, Kitten,” Ky urged, holding out a hand. I stepped forward and gave her a bright smile. This almost felt more terrifying than any of the tests Eros had given me. It was less pressure than I figured the typical meeting the family drill was since I was already with the heads of the Family, but that didn’t mean I wanted them all to hate me. The scariest part was the unknown. It wasn’t like my family was a good example of most families, so it was hard to know what I’d encounter.
“This is Sana, our queen,” Keir said simply, like that bomb was no big deal, but both Angelina’s eyes and mine went wide. He’d always called me princess, but in a Family like ours, queen was a very different title. It was for the wife of the boss, the head of the family. It meant they were claiming me as the other figurehead.
“Sana, what a beautiful name for a beautiful woman,” she gushed, pulling me in for a hug. She smelled like spices and fresh baked bread, the comfort of her hug nearly breaking me. It wasn’t anything I’d had since my own mother had died when I was a kid. Mom had been my last protector, my father not caring that Eros was molding me into a monster. When she pulled back, she held me at arms’ length. studying me as if she could see into my soul. Her sharp expression promised that she would eventually figure me out, but a smile was slowly forming nonetheless. “She’ll be perfect.” With one last nod, she released me and rushed back through the other door to her kitchen if I had to guess.
“She approves,” Killian said, his laugh lighter as he picked me up and swung me around. “See, we knew we had the right one.” From the way they were treating it, Angelina was their unofficial queen and matriarch, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit smug that she’d liked me. At least until she finds out my last name.
“And this is her cousin Dani; she’s family now as well.” Keir’s simple declaration brokered no arguments from the few people in the room, offering her the same protection they’d given me. I was grateful beyond measure. We’d both made it away from Eros, even if it was just for now, and she deserved to enjoy that freedom in peace.
Before I could t
hank them, more of the family started trickling in, the enormous table filling person by person until the room felt like it was going to burst at the seams. It wasn’t just the people involved in the mafia side of things either; there were families, kids and parents, teens, enough of a mix that it looked like an average family dinner.
The noise level was near deafening, rising until I was overwhelmed, but the guys didn’t let me out of their sight until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Hey, I need a bathroom,” I finally whispered in Kill’s ear, needing a moment to breathe before the dinner was fully underway. He studied me for a second and nodded.
“Sure, come on, Baby Girl,” he said, leading me out of one of the four doors branching off of the large room. It led to a long hallway, but we only walked a few feet before he gestured to a door. I grinned and leaned up on my tiptoes, kissing him roughly before escaping into the room. I didn’t bother to lock it since one of my men was standing vigil beyond it. Leaning over the sink, I splashed water over my face and took a few deep breaths. I studied myself in the mirror after drying off with a towel from the stack on the counter. My brown hair was wavy, but not unkempt, though I cringed at the lack of makeup and dark circles under my eyes. I was kicking myself as I took in my average appearance even though it had been my preference to not freshen up today.
“Some introduction,” I muttered to myself, tossing the towel in the hamper and going to open the door. When the knob turned, I smiled to myself, figuring Kill was tired of waiting. When it revealed his uncle Hector had pushed it open, I froze. “Where’s Killian?”
“Oh, don’t worry, princess,” he said, the sneer and disdain in his voice giving me pause. He practically spit out the name, and I bristled, ready to fight. “He got called away, but I saw an opening and took it. I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t the only woman they’ve brought around here, and you won’t be the last. You’re one in a million, so don’t think for a second you’ll be anything they need. Go ahead, ask them about Anastasia. They brought her last time and showed her off. Angelina fussed over her, and the family loved her, but she didn’t last long either. Just another trophy for their arm.” The words cut deep, my throat going dry as he finished his barely veiled manipulation. We both knew I wouldn’t say anything to them. They’d warned me about him, to stay away… but was his warning why they’d told me that?
No… that was hardly their style. I knew them better than that.
“Yeah fucking right, you prick. Move,” I growled, angry he’d almost made me doubt them. He laughed and whistled, still standing in the doorway. “Move before I make you.” My warning was laced with ice, and he looked more amused than surprised as he stepped away. Only to run into Kyrell’s chest. Hector’s face went white before he turned and rushed off, muttering an excuse about finding another restroom.
“Sorry about him, Kitten. Everything okay?” he asked, studying my face. I nodded numbly, so confused I didn’t even know how to feel. “Nope. We don’t lie here. What’d he say?” His warning had me freezing, and after a deep breath, I asked the question, knowing they wouldn’t stop until I finally admitted it.