Page 22 of My Favorite Secret
He laughs as soon as I jerk away. “Fun drive, sis. Let me know which room you’re sleeping in. I’ll take the bedroom next to yours. We can have a bath together, like we used to as kids.”
I glare at my mother. “You see what you’ve welcomed into our home?”
“Felix, be respectful,” Mom says. “You need to start getting serious about your life. Think about your actions. I’ve lost count of the number of times you’ve gotten into trouble over the years. You only scrape through because you’re lucky.”
He continues tossing the poker chip. “I’d rather be lucky than good.”
My nose scrunches up as I scowl, losing my patience. “What does that even mean? Every word out of your mouth is ridiculous.”
“Famous saying from the Mafia, Red.”
I roll my eyes, groaning. “Of course it is?—”
“Listen to me, Felix,” Mom cuts in with panic in her warning. “I don’t ever want to hear you talking about the Mafia again. Do you understand? Start making better decisions. If you can’t, perhaps weshouldlet the police deal with you.”
“You wouldn’t let that happen, Clara. If I end up in jail, you’ll have failed my mother.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “I don’t know where you get this manipulative side from. Your mother was an angel. Your father… I’ll keep my opinions about him to myself, but even he has never been manipulative.”
Felix turns the engine off as we pull up in front of the house. “Are we done with the pleasantries, Mom? I need to go run that bath for me and your daughter.”
Felix’s inked hand reaches for my ankle again. This time, I’m ready, and kick him away. But he’s too fast and I miss.
To my surprise, my mother doesn’t come to my aid and instead continues the conversation with a look of nostalgia. “That’s one thing you and your mother had in common—a filthy mouth. You should have heard the way she spoke about your father. Actually, I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Clara, I’d hardly categorize what I said as filthy, but I can keep going if you like. We’ve already established that you’ve got the hots for me.”
Now he’s flirting with my mother? I don’t know what the hell is going on in this car right now.
Instead of scolding him, Mom clicks her tongue, smiling as she reminisces. “Your sense of humor is just like Lenore’s.”
“I’m not joking right now. I think you’re hitting on me. I’m kind of into it. What should we tell Thomas?”
“Stop.” Mom laughs, then clears her throat and straightens her face, placing a firm end to the conversation. “You will behave yourself around me and my daughter. Understand?”
“Perfectly.” Felix steps out of the car and opens my door. I don’t know if he’s trying to be chivalrous. I doubt it. There’s a mound of luggage back here with me he’ll want to unpack.
Mom’s phone rings. She answers, stepping out to the opposite side of the Jeep and delving into a conversation about her upcoming exhibition.
With my mother preoccupied, Felix’s gaze rakes over my body, checking me out with no shame. He’s wearing a black hoodie with the hood pulled up. A few locks of blond hair fall over his forehead between his green eyes. His gaze is harsh, filled with anger. It’s frightening, yet beautiful. I’ve always thought the Blackwood boys were the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
For some idiotic reason, I want him to like what he sees when he looks at me. Goddammit. I want him to…loveme. TherealFelix who I loved from my childhood. Not whoever this version is.
The thought is ridiculous, and I don’t know where it came from. I unbuckle my seatbelt and swivel toward him for my exit. “Don’t look at me. Move out of my way.”
My pulse races when Felix steps closer and rests botharms on top of the Jeep, blocking my exit with his body. The look on his face is cruel, yet amused, like I’m a toy to be played with.
He leans in, lowering his voice for only me to hear. “Admit you liked watching and I’ll move out of your way.”
“Watching what?”
“You know what. Really want me to say it out loud with your mother so close?”
“Was the girl hurt bad?”
“She’ll live.”
His answer relieves some of the guilt I’ve been carrying. But I don’t feel like I’m in the clear of escaping consequences for throwing that dagger.
