Page 30 of Valentine's Kisses
My heart races. If I agree, we will be under the same roof.Fuck.She doesn't know our history. That's not good, because I've got tits. "Why can't one of my cousins do it?"
"Because they are going to do something else for the family." She smiles.
"When do I have to be ready?" I whisper.
She reaches for the phone on her desk to call for Eugenia. “Please send my grandson in.”
Gran Odessa watches my face as the man of my naughty dreams waltzes in her office. My eyes can't look away from the beauty of him, which makes my eyes almost water. It's been weeks since we've been in the same room together. I hadn't realized until this moment how much I missed him. He's wearing gray sweatpants and a Crestwood University hockey tee. Its fucking gray sweatpants season up in here. Am I salivating?Please, God don't let me be salivating.Why does he have to be my stepbrother?
Our gazes are locked. His expression is menacing. Someone doesn't like being blocked or for the most part ignored. What else was I supposed to do though?
Chapter 8
Step Means No Blood Relation
She can block me a million times, and I'll still wind up in her inbox. I'm shady like that. -Hunter
Hunter
My eyes bore a hole through my curvy vixen's face. The woman of my dreams, that's left me in knots for months. She tried to move on, however, that doesn't work for me. I showed up at her job, in her email, hell, even a hundred times in her DM's, only to be blocked or ignored. She's been a very bad girl. Call it karma, but now she has to babysit me. My little Fun-Size treat is in for a rude awakening the first time we're alone together.
I smile over at Odessa, then turn my hardened gaze back to Lynx. "What's up, Fun-Size?"
She has the good sense to squirm underneath my scrutiny. I took great pleasure as her eyes almost bugged out of their sockets with the mention of her nickname. After the initial reaction, Lynx shrugs it off like a pro. Odessa already knows everything about us, but Lynx doesn't need to know any of the details yet.
"Not much." She crosses her arms in a challenge making her amazing tits more visible. Someone needs a spanking, which makes my cock twitch at the thought. "You going to behave?"
My shrug should say it all, but I voice my answer so that we're clear. "Not a chance."
Odessa laughs. Earning a smirk as her reward. She's fun, I can't help but like the old bat. She already knows of my feelings for Lynx and approves. Odessa wants her in the family as more than a step. There wasn't a further explanation, but I can take a guess. If Lynx is married into our family the criminals Gran deals with on the regular will see her as off limits. There is a code of honor, even amongst thieves, and apparently big-time mafia bosses.
Lynx scowls at us. "The answer is no. Gran, I'm not doing this."
Gran scoffs at her. "But you already agreed, and no take backs. He will promise to behave. Well, mostly. Right, Hunter?"
My grin turns wicked. "Yeah sure, Lynx. Mostly."
My vixens scowl deepens when I wink at her. Turning my attention away from Lynx, I look toward my grandmother. My feelings about what my father did to keep us separated have been all over the place. I've come to terms with not hating them anymore. We are slowly building a bridge of reconciliation toward each other. Although the fear of abandonment will still haunt me for years, I want to get past our issues and give this family thing a shot. It will take months if not years to form a bond. I never had that with my dad. My soul longs for a family more than anything. Lynx will be a part of that family. Only she will carry my last name, and not anyone else's.
Lynx asks a question, turning our attention back to her. “When do I have to be ready, Gran?”
Odessa's phone buzzes. Her expression sours after reading the contents. "You two are leaving tonight, I'll be there shortly after lunch tomorrow. Sorry, Lynx, shopping will have to wait. I now have a dinner to attend. I simply can't get out of it." She shivers but says nothing else, which makes me think the dinnerhas something to do with my cousin Billie Jean that's awaiting her turn with Gran Odessa in the lobby right now.
I've only known Odessa for a short time, but if something makes her shiver it can't be good for either of them. Lynx stands quietly, her expression is set in stone. Her body language tells me she's nervous, and she damn well needs to be. My smile takes over my entire face. Gran assured me we'd be all alone tonight. If their shopping trip is off, that means more fun for us. Not even the staff will interrupt what I have planned.
Lynx gives it one more try. "But Gran, I can't possibly go tonight, there is so much to pack. It'll take me at least a week."
I roll my eyes because we had anticipated her reluctance. Odessa gives me a wink, but looks back to Lynx, almost apologetically. She loves her, it's plain to see. "Everything has already been taken care of, the movers are at your house as we speak. You won't need much, just clothes, and sentimental items. Hunter’s car is already in Savannah, so you'll need to take yours. Dress up tonight and have dinner at the country club if you like. Also, don't be alarmed, we've been having some issues with threats. I've hired a tactical team that will accompany each of my grandchildren for the foreseeable future. Hunter, knows exactly what to expect."
Gran fixes me with a stern look. "Please explain to our Lynx accordingly. Help to keep her safe."
Nodding, I mask the worry that's swarming deep in my gut. Although Lynx doesn't know the full story, my grandfather was murdered two years ago. From what their servants have told me, Gran didn't inherit his mafia business, because it was hers all along. Her guise of being a fashion designer is more of a side hustle instead of her main source of income. Our Claybourne family can be linked to Capone himself, she's in that deep.
Gran embraces us in a group hug. I'm still getting used to the amount of affection this family likes to give. For a mafia bossshe's a softie when it comes to those she loves. "Take care of each other, I'm going to fix this. Our family will be safe once and for all.”
***
Being this close to Hunter again is the best and worst thing that has ever happened to me.
