Dirty Little Brat (Dirty Series Book 1)

“Mami, Papi, I would like for you to meet, my future wife, Alexis. Alexis, these are my parents. Sergio and Juanita Maldonado.” He gestures toward the two people in the room who are looking at me the most intently. There is a slight thickness in the air, almost like everyone is holding their breath, waiting for them to say something. I glance at Lara, to see if it is just me, but she too looks uncomfortable. I am about to run out of there, when his mom walks up to me.

“Hijo, she is beautiful.” His mom says, holding my cheeks, her face so bright and smiling. She is really a beautiful woman. She stands at about my height, her hair, mostly gray pulled back into a chignon, with strays falling around her temple, making her look young and full of life. I can't help but notice she is a bit round and this makes her seem so warm and gentle. “How are you, cariña?” She kisses both of my cheeks, not letting go. I am not sure what that word means, but considering Sax is beaming beside me, I assume it is something good.

“I am well. Thank you for asking. How was your flight here?” I have no clue what else to say to her. I am not used to someone showing me so much affection. Hell, I am just getting used to it from Sax.

“It was great my dear. My goodness, hijo, her hips are excellent for giving me grandbabies.” Feeling my eyes go wide, I cover my giggle with a cough when I see Ramone roll his eyes and shake his head. The truth is, I would love nothing more than to be a mom and have babies with him. I know I sound stupid to some, being I am only 18, but I never had a real mom. My mom was more worried about Botox, to cover the wrinkles from all the drinking she does, and clothes. She never really paid me any attention, other than when it was time to update my wardrobe so we could make my dad look good. I have always wanted to be a real mom, with a real family. I want to hug and kiss my kids, clean their booboos, read them bedtime stories. I want all of that.

“Juanita, give the poor girl a chance to get used to all of us before you start commissioning her womb.” Sax’s dad says shaking his head and chuckling. She scoffs at him and swats his chest and I can’t stop the pang in mine. It is obvious how much they love each other. I want that. I look at Sax and he lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it, once again reading my mind.

“Come child. Give an old man a hug. Welcome to the family. Thank you for taking my boy out of his lonely state and making him happier than I have ever seen him.” He whispers in my ear. I duck my head, not sure what to say and my face heats up. Saxson pulls me into his chest. Wrapping his arms around me. This is where I like to be.

“Papa. Stop making my girl blush. No one should do that but me old man.” I love hearing him claim me and defend me. Does that make me needy? He turns me so my back is to his chest and he finished the rest of the introduction.

“This is my sister Julissa and her ...Manny.” I look at him quizzically, not sure why he said it that way, but then I hear growling coming from Ramone and their dad and my interest is definitely piqued.

“Hi. Nice to meet you Julissa.” I say extending my hand and shaking hers. She rolls her eyes at the other two men in her life, but she smiles at me.

“It’s so good to meet you. It is about time I get another woman in this family. You have no idea how hard it is being the only girl with three older brothers,” she scoffs. I smile at her. She may be the only girl, but it is evident that she is not scared of any of them, including her father.

“It's good to meet you too. It's nice to know that when this one is getting on my nerves, I have someone to complain to besides Lara.” I tell her laughing. Oh, crap speaking of. “I am such a mess. I forgot to introduce her. Everyone, this is my best friend, more like my sister, Lara.” Everyone says hello in unison, except Ramone. Being her shy self, she waves a little and put her head back down. I make to walk over there when I am grabbed around the waist.

“My other brother Julio will be here tomorrow. He had a case to wrap up.” That’s right. I forgot he had a brother who was an attorney. How the hell does that work in a family full of criminals?