Page 94 of Blood & Lace
“Plenty. I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“Of course not." Adam shoved his fingers into his too long hair, he tried to pull them all the way through but got caught. He let out a frustrated grunt and yanked his hand back onto the table."Look, Lucero, as gross and loving as that is, I’ve never taught anyone before.”
“So it’s a yes. I can come over only a few times. I’ll have to plan it out when Onyx isn’t?—”
“Wait a minute.” Adam was out of his seat, he crossed his lanky arms over his chest. “I didn’t agree to anything.”
“You didn’t say no either.”
“Because that word seems to have an opposite effect on you.”
My head slowly tilted to the side. What was he talking about? “Oh, right.” I was up and went over to the remainder of the bags that hadn’t been put away. “Did you still want your haircut?”
"Don't think you can gloss over this conversation. You can’t get your way all the time."
I grinned, giving him my best smile. It always worked on my siblings. With Onyx it was a toss up, but my husband liked it better when I was begging and pleading instead.
"You enjoyed yourself today, I can tell. I have a gift for these types of things." I pointed to the dish he'd been happily slopping down. "Haircut, yes or no?"
“Maybe." He pulled at his lip, turning his flesh a slight pink with how hard he was pinching himself. "I want to eat right now.” Adam plopped back down in his seat. "Vous ferez ce que vous voulez de toute façon."
“Okay.” I went back over to the stove, checking everything I had prepared. Half of the new Tupperware was already full and ready for the freezer. I portioned them out so he wouldn't have to defrost an entire dish for a single serving. "I'll label these." I waved a marker over my shoulder so Adam knew what I was doing. My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I had it out in seconds.
Nash: You good?
Lucero: Yes
Nash: Wife and kids?
I glanced over at Adam cleaning his plate. He happily scraped every drop of sauce.
Lucero: No. Have a few guys watch over this building.
I hesitated to tell Nash who exactly my husband had hidden away. I trusted all my brothers, but for now, I'd continue to keep Onyx's secret.
Nash: We are all running a bit tight around here but I can spare one or two. Do you need help?
Lucero: No, everything is good.
Nash: K.
"Was that Onyx?" Adam got up, leaving his plate behind.
I grabbed it up, giving it a quick rinse before placing it into the too small dishwasher.
"No, it was my brother. Don't worry, I didn't tell him about you or anything."
Adam's shoulders dropped and he seemed to have relaxed. "Oh great, you're ashamed of me too." The chuckle he let out sounded awkward as if it was forced.
"No, why would I be?"
Adam waved me off as if what I was saying was invalid. "It was a joke."
"Didn't sound like one." I watched him as he looked anywhere but at me. He went to pull at his hair again but gave up after getting his fingers caught again. I couldn't help but notice how different he was from my husband. Unlike Onyx, Adam preferred darker clothes, and they weren't nearly as flashy. It was as if he was trying to disappear into the shadows.
"How much longer are you going to stay?" Adam asked, breaking the silence that had descended.
"Well, I have one more dish to make, and then I still need to help fold the laundry."
