Page 43 of Hexed
He’s a cute kid. Young, probably a few years younger than me, but still…cute.
“Keep your eyes on the road.” Enzo’s voice is sharp.
Scotty jumps, his gaze swinging back to the street and his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
“Definitely one of yourminions,” I tease.
Enzo stares at me with a blank expression, his hand coming up to rub at his jaw. “He’s my cousin. How much longer until we’re there?”
I try not to react to the sudden coldness in his tone, and I glance out the window. “A couple of minutes.”
“Not the best area,” he notes, following my gaze.
I shrug. “I like it here.”
He looks at me then. “Because you like overcoming adversity?”
“Because I like to put money back into the community that raised me.”
He looks surprised, adopting a thoughtful expression. “This is where you grew up?”
“About three blocks down that way and to the left.” I point out the window. “A small apartment with smoke-stained walls and roaches that loved to hide in our dishwasher, but it was home.”
“Until it wasn’t.”
I nod in agreement, a pang of grief hitting me in the chest. “Until it wasn’t.”
It surprises me he doesn’t ask more questions about why I grew up with nothing, why my momma wouldn’t take any money from her family when the Kingstons are the backbone of Atlantic Cove. But then again, maybe my saying just that much was enough. I’m sure Aria has plenty to say on the matter if he asks.
We pull into the Lair’s parking lot, the purple neon sign gleaming against the darkening sky. By the time I’ve gotten my seat belt off, Scotty is already opening my door, his hand gripping mine to help me stand.
“What a gentleman,” I purr.
“Only when I see a lady.” He winks. His black hair is slicked back with so much gel, the streetlights reflect off the top.
“You should teach your cousin some of those manners, cutie.”
“Please, I taught this kid everything he knows.” Enzo appears at my side a second later and prods me toward the entrance. “The Lair,” he muses. “So, this is all yours?”
“My baby, and the only one I’ll ever have, God willing,” I say.
His brows lift. “You don’t want kids?”
“You do?”
He slips his hands into his pockets. “Never thought about it any other way. In my life, it’s expected.”
“Ah.” I nod, my stomach souring at the thought of Aria bearing his children.
A reminder I need, to be honest—since my vagina has apparently decided Enzo is her ideal mate and he’s literally the most off-limits person to me in the world.
I’m not sure why the thought of that makes my stomach drop.
“Gotta get those heirs, right?” I joke, shaking off the weird feeling.
His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t reply, twisting his upper body to glance around. “Where’s your security?”
I grin, gesturing to myself. “You’re looking at it, darlin’.”
