Page 111 of Not All Himbos Wear Capes
Wolfgang had promised to handle the situation, and he’d been busy—systematically preparing to personally check each of the Suarez-owned international properties for traces of our sister.
Since his ‘system’ eerily resembled a conspiracy theorist’s wall covered in grainy photographs and string, I offhandedly mentioned he should find an assistant to help him stay organized. The manic gleam in my brother's eye caused me to immediately regret the suggestion. There was no doubt the idea of employing a full-time minion fulfilled all of Wolfy’s villainous fantasies.
Thoughts and prayers to that poor soul as well.
“Sylvano was at the condo,” Butch abruptly added, bringing me back to the present. “Apparently he’s there a lot…”
So it wasn’t about the cookies.
“How do you feel about that?” I recited the open-ended question Dr. Ownit encouraged us to use when giving each other the floor.
Butch was quiet for a long moment, giving his answer careful consideration. “I’m feeling this irrationalneedto defend Vortexio’s honor or something, even though my mother and I were nothing more than pawns to him. The truth is… I would have killed to have someone like Sylvano in my life growing up. I’ve looked up to him for a while now, so as far as step-dads go, I could do a hell of a lot worse. Plus, my mother deserves a second chance at love after losing herinventus,so I’ll support whatever makes her happy. Family is what you make it, right?”
I nodded. It was extremely rare for a supe to get remarried—and unheard of for it to be with a normie—but Sylvano Ricci was a good man who’d always treated Butch with the respect he deserved.
Unlike his own father.
Butch was gazing at me so hopefully, I couldn’t resist a tease. “As long as you don’t start callinghimDaddy, I’m fine with it. What else is bothering you, baby?”
Since I can read you like a book.
He deliciously blushed. “Well, all this talk of family reminds me I wanted to ask you something...” He dropped his gaze, and I braced myself for where I assumed this was going.
He hesitated long enough that it was clear he needed a nudge. “If this is about kids, you know the answer will always be yes, Butch. Although, full disclosure, the idea of being put in charge of living creatures who arenotself-sufficient cats or famous superheroes scares the crap out of me.”
Might as well be honest.
Butch shot me an indulgent smile. “I dunno, Xan, you took pretty good care of me when you thought I was just a really muscular yet fragile normie.” He sobered before continuing, “But no, it’s not about kids—not yet. I want to wait until we know if Kai can be involved and, well… I kind of like having you all to myself for now.”
Same.
Apparently, the ‘scientific’ study conducted by the USN to determine if supes and normies could safely procreate had been illegally influenced by Biggs Enterprises. Tobias Johnson—the little shit who’d interrupted us in the archives—was exposed as the insider behind the corruption. He was unceremoniously fired and Sylvano was now working on organizing a new study with unbiased experts.
Butch and I had already discussed how we’d prefer Kai as the surrogate over anyone else, even if it meant our kids wouldn’t have powers. I also begrudgingly agreed that we should probably wait until we knew it was safe for her—since Ididcare about her. Kind of.
Okay, a lot.
I’ll take that secret to my grave, though.
“Very well. The spawn discussion is tabled for now.” I rubbed a lecherous hand down his very muscular arm. “Talk to me, Butch. Tell me everything that’s on your mind.”
He blew out a slow breath before gazing at me earnestly. “Okay, I was hoping that maybe I could… you know, if it would be all right with you… takeyourlast name at some point…”
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I backed away and bent over as uncontrollable laughter burst out of me, delighted at how consistentlynotin charge I was with this man.
“Butch,” I finally found my voice again. “Did you seriously just steal my thunderagain?First with the ‘I love yous’ and now this?”
He looked so adorably perplexed that I cut to the chase, promptly dropping to my knee and fishing a small box out of my pocket.
It’s now or never!
“Oh, my god,” he gasped in that breathless way that simultaneously made me hard as a rock and melt into a puddle. “Are you—”
“Just let medothis, Jesus,” I chuckled before clearing my throat and adopting a serious tone. “Butch Holt, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband, oftaking my name,and starting your villain arc with me?”
Then I popped open the box.
