Page 60 of Not All Himbos Wear Capes
His eyes widened. “W-what? I…Jesus,Butch! Did Vi really freak you out that badly? You still have four more of these lunatics to meet, never mind my mother. Should I take you home? If you don’t want to do this, I won’t make you. Tell me what you need, baby.”
The sweetness he was showing me caused tears to spring to my eyes. I wanted this more than anything. I wanted to hold on to what meeting Xander’s family represented—a future together—even though now it was impossible. More than that, I wanted him to know how much he’d meant to me. How committed to this relationship I’d been.
How I’d risk it all for him.
“I want to meet them,” I spoke evenly as the calm of inevitability washed over me. “I got a little nervous, that’s all.”
He scoffed, although his expression was kind. “Yeah, well, hot tip—if you show any weakness around these animals, they’ll devour you whole.” His lips curled as his mischief came out to play. “I’ll tell you what, baby. If you make it through tonight in one piece, I’ll reward mygood boyinanywayhe wants.”
Oh, this is just cruel.
Unknowingly twisting the knife in deeper, Xander leaned forward to deliver a scorching kiss, which I eagerly returned—knowing it was probably our last.
“I will admit, I’m a little angry.” His gaze darkened. “You see… I had big dramatic plans in the works to tell you I lovedyou,but then you stole my thunder. What did I say about being a brat?”
“I’m sorry, Daddy,” I whispered, holding his gaze and meaning every word with my entire soul.
Xander must have caught something on my face, as he cocked his head. “I’m not actually mad, baby, don’t worry. And I love you, too.” He deposited one last kiss on my lips. “Now let’s go inside and get this over with.”
I could only manage a clipped nod as we exited the car and I followed him to my doom.
As Xander opened the front door and ushered me into the foyer, I attempted to calm my nerves and think rationally. Violentia clearly hadn’t recognized me, so it was probably safe to assume none of the Suarez clan had access to the same high-level intel I did.
My hesitation to attack her had been a saving grace. If I controlled my powers, I could convince them all I was nothing more than Xander’s normie boyfriend, and still leave here unscathed.
Although I don’t want to think about what happens after that…
“Xanny.” An older woman’s frigid tone sent ice into my veins. Xander had already said I wouldn’t be meeting his father—not that Apocalypto Man needed to be anywhere near me to inflict damage—but facing the infamous Glacial Girl was almost as terrifying.
And way above my pay grade.
Her gray eyes swept over me, and I could feel the subtle pulses of her power against my skin—testing me. I grimly held back from answering her in kind, determined to survive.
Maybe she doesn’t recognize me either…
“What an unexpected surprise!” She grinned in a way that looked more like she was baring her teeth.
My guts twisted as I recalled Violentia mentioning their mother knew Xander was bringing a date. Signe Suarez hadbeen expecting a clueless normie to arrive with her son, but who was delivered to her doorstep instead was a villain’s wet dream.
Ofcourse,someone as powerful as Glacial Girl would know exactly what every living supe looked like as a civilian—especially the only son of her greatest enemies.
I’m going to die.
“Go on, Xanny,” she cooed, waving him ahead of us while she placed a hand on my back and roughly pushed me along after him. “Welcome to my home,Captain Masculine,”she quietly hissed in my ear, sending a warning shot of frost skittering down my spine. “Let’s hope you behave yourself better than you did with the Stricklands.”
I’m definitely going to die.
CHAPTER28
XANDER
As I should have anticipated, my family showed Butch no mercy.
Violentia continued to shamelessly flirt, Baltasar was his jerky jock self, the twins simply stared at him in their creepyShiningway—while telepathically plotting his demise, no doubt—and Wolfgang simplywatchedfrom his usual spot at the shadowy end of the table.
None of that was surprising, but theattentionmy mother gave him was. I’d expected her to be coolly dismissive and had already prepped Butch by fibbing that she was mildly homophobic. Her unwavering focus was unnerving.
This was a mistake.
