Page 46 of Brandishing Betrayals

“Yeah,” Marcos agreed, rubbing a hand over his buzzed head.

“Fine,” Jason grunted.

I nodded, already reaching for my phone to call the local clinic we used.

“We need to talk about the house,” Marcos said, changing the subject. “The realtor said our old rental house was for sale if we want it. Kara fucking gave me a lump sum of back pay for her student loans—said she’d skin me alive if I didn’t buy the house of my dreams for my son.”

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “I bet you fucking fought her on that.”

“She said she would refuse to name me padrino and ask someone else.” Marcos chuckled darkly, shaking his head. “I fucking taught her well.”

I laughed, feeling lighter for the first time all night. “Fucking, Kara.”

“Fucking, Kara,” Marcos agreed.

“So we have more than enough to put down on the house. Is that the one we want?” Jason asked.

“Yeah. That’s home,” Nico agreed.

“Yeah,” Marcos nodded.

“I’ll have the realtor move things along then,” Jason said. “Looks like were buying a house.”

“Our house,” I added, feeling content.

“Home,” Marcos said.

Nico

IgaveMayatheweekto calm down after her weekend up north. I stayed away from Luke’s football practice Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, despite helping Marcos by dropping him off at practice while Marc delt with the Irish.

By Friday though, I was done waiting. Marcos had Luke this weekend, and Jason and Marcos were going to take him out on Lake White Buffalo in Mourningside to get some water time. They talked about going fishing, camping, and swimming. I was a little jealous of missing out, but I wanted that alone time with Maya.

The plan was to wine and dine her Friday night after work, then get her to spend the night at my place and treat her to a massage at the Spa on Saturday. I would convince her to stay the whole weekend if I could, but knowing she had spent last weekend away from her ailing parents, I knew I was pushing my luck if she agreed to stay at all.

I followed Marcos over to Maya’s Friday night. When we walked up to the front door, Luke was playing a video game in the living room and Maya was curled up on the couch reading a book. Her curly golden-brown hair was pulled back from her face in one of those claw clips, and she had already changed out of her scrubs into a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt. She looked fucking delectable.

Marcos knocked on the door, for propriety’s sake, before he opened the door and walked in the house. Luke looked over with a grin and a quick, “Hey dad!” before he turned back to his game. He pushed some buttons on his controller but quickly saved the game and signed out of whatever he was playing.

“Hey Little Dreamer,” I grinned wickedly when I walked into the living room.

“Nico,” Maya smiled, though her eyebrows pulled together, furrowing in confusion. “What are you doing here?”

“I was thinking that me and you could go out to dinner.”

“Just the two of us?” Her eyes darted between Marcos and I. “Aren’t you going with for the guy’s weekend to the lake?”

“Nah, I’ve got plans tomorrow. I couldn’t commit to the whole weekend. Thought me and you could get dinner though.” I spoke smoothly, gliding past Marcos to stand in front of Maya.

She swallowed thickly as she stared up at me, slowly sliding her bookmark between the pages. “I uh.”

“You should go, mom! Dinner with Nic will be fun!” Luke encouraged her.

I would have to remember to give that kid some money next time I saw him.

Maya looked dumbfounded.

I smirked internally, knowing she wasn’t one for surprises. “Go put on a dress. You have ten minutes.” I threw down the order, wondering if her submissive side would come out to play, or if her fiery spirit would.

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