Until Talon (Until Him 4)

I look that direction and see our waitress there with our meals—not that any of the men at the table seem to notice, since all their eyes are on us. Fuck.

“You mind if I join you guys for dinner?” I turn back to her, and she looks at her nieces, who are all occupied.

“I would like that, but—” She looks over my shoulder. “—do you think your family will mind?”

Personally, I don’t give a fuck if they do, but I know they won’t. All of them will understand. Bax might not, but he will when he feels what I do right now. “They won’t.”

I start to stand but stop when a hand lands on my shoulder. “Talon.” I tip my head back and see Cece’s smiling face. “Mia didn’t tell me that you were coming with her and the girls tonight.”

“That’s because he didn’t come here with us. He came here with his uncles and brother,” Mia states, and her sister eyes her for a moment before looking around the restaurant.

I know the instant she spots the table where my family is, because her mouth forms a soft O and her eyes widen. “Umm… wow, okay. So you get your hotness honestly.” Her cheeks turn an endearing shade of pink. “I mean… I mean…. Never mind. I’ll be back. I need to go check on my kids’ dinner.”

I chuckle, hearing Mia giggle as we watch her rush off. But then I frown. Winston steps in front of Cece, taking hold of her shoulders and ducking his face close to hers. My frown grows deeper when I see her shake her head, and his expression softens. I know Winston and know he’s married—not because he talks about his wife like my dad, uncles, and cousins talk about their wives, but because she’s made a point to show up whenever my family has invited him to an event. She’s also always made an impression, and not a good one.

“Oh my God,” Mia whispers, and I turn toward her, watching her shake her head. “He’s totally into her, and she’s into him.”

“I really fucking hope not,” I state, and her eyes widen as she meets my gaze.

“Umm,” she mumbles, and I narrow my eyes on her, only to have her glance quickly over my shoulder. “I think your family is trying to get your attention to let you know your dinner is at the table.”

I want to tell her I don’t give a fuck about that, but I know with her nieces at the table that I need to at least attempt to watch what I say. I push back from the table, and Ruby’s eyes fly to me. “Be right back kid.”

“Okay.” She smiles, and I stand.

I leave my half-empty beer and head across the restaurant to where my uncle and brother are seated. When I reach their table, I look through them. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m gonna join Mia for dinner.”

“We don’t mind,” my uncles all say, but not hearing the same from my brother, I look at him.

“Go have dinner with your girl.” He smirks. “Glad it’s you and not me.”

“Aw, bud, when it happens to you, you’re going to be singing another tune.” Uncle Cash laughs.

“Fuck no, I won’t. I know exactly what happens when a Mayson bites the dust, and I want no part of that kind of drama.”

My stomach knots, because my brother is not wrong. Every time one of my family members finds love, shit is not all fucking hearts and roses. It’s more like kidnappings, stalkers, fucked-up family shit, or a whole lot of other drama. Not wanting to think about what might be coming my way, I grab my plate off the table. “If you’re all good, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the house.”

“See you then,” I hear echoed behind me as I walk across the restaurant with Mia watching.

When I reach the table, Ruby’s eyes light up as I take a seat, and then she nabs a fry off my plate. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” I grin at her, and she grins back.

“Dinner is served,” Cece announces behind me, and Ruby quickly pushes her tablet across the table so her mom can place her plate before her. I help Cece with the other plates, and once they’re all passed out, she tucks her tray under her arm. “Are you guys good?”

“I think we’re good for now,” Mia answers as I grab the ketchup from the middle of the table, squirting some on Ruby’s plate.

“I’ll be back to check on you guys after I check on my tables.” Cece pats my shoulder before walking off.

“Are you Aunt Mia’s boyfriend?” Lola asks, eyeing me as Mia takes the ketchup I hand over.

I start to open my mouth to answer, but Mia gets there before me. “He’s a friend, honey.”