Page 51 of Blood & Lace
I grinned. "Well, your food is amazing. I can't even blame them for wrangling you into it."
She shook her head. "No, no, I wanted to come from the start. I've been so curious about you and worried about my Luci. Now, I can see that you're a good person, and it takes a weight off my shoulders." She sighed. "Although Luci did beg me to come over today too. Asked me to bring the walnut brownies."
"That lying little…"
Lilian snorted. "He told you I just showed up? Men. Don't let that one fool you. He can be a little distracted, but there lies a menace behind those sweet, sweet eyes."
Yeah, I was starting to figure that out. Underestimating Lucero was a mistake that people probably only got to make once. I was quickly learning not to do the same.
"So, how many boys do you have? Any daughters?"
Lilian smiled. "Adopted daughters. They haven't given me any grandchildren yet either." She pouted. "Let's see. There's Damian, Nash, Elia, Lucero, Prince, and Dominique. They all live with us right now, or recently. And then there's Emir. He's always been a bit… distant. Likes to keep to himself, so he has a place of his own nearby."
Wow, seven boys and that's just who was close still. I had no idea how she could even think about handling it.
"Children terrify me," I admitted. "Small, helpless, and the world? It's disgusting."
Lilian nodded. "True, but you're part of a wider family now too. I mean, who would mess with a child of the Marino's? We might not be on top like the Vitale's, but we're getting there. And we know how to defend ours," she said, her eyes burning.
My stomach flip-flopped. Okay, she was terrifying.
Someone knocked, and I hopped out of my seat. "More brothers?"
"Possibly my husband. He said he would pick me up in a little while. I told him to send the driver, but no, he insisted." She laughed.
I opened the door and was confronted with Mr. Marino. He smiled at me as he pushed fingers through mostly gray hair.
"Onyx," he said. "We still have yet to formally meet. Samson," he said, extending a hand.
I shook it, warmth radiating in my palm. "Mr. Marino, it's nice to meet you," I said as I stumbled over my words. "Your wife is ready for you."
"Ah, lead the way. I know my sons kind of swooped in on you today. They tend to do that."
"I'm learning that it runs in the family," I muttered.
His boisterous laugh took me off guard. When we arrived in the kitchen, the first thing he did was run to his wife. He brushed his hand against her cheek, and it was like the world fell away except for the two of them.
"I missed you, Lil."
"Missed you too." She grinned. "We've only been apart for not even four hours."
"Every second was agony."
I'm starting to see where Lucero gets it from.
Even staring at them made me think of myself and the big idiot who had invaded my life. Samson was wrapped around his wife who was at least a good foot shorter than him. She moved around the kitchen with him attached to her back, their laughter filling the room. I backed away until I could retreat into the living room. My back thumped against something hard.
"Watch it," Damian said, glaring down at me.
"Sorry," I muttered as he pushed me away and Lucero caught me in his arms.
"Don't do that again," Lucero warned his brother.
"He ran into me," he growled.
"Why are you all so grumpy?" I asked. "Hangry?"
"Food's just about done!" Lilian called from the kitchen.
