With my hands on my hips, I expel a breath and shake my head. “I walked right into that one.” I chuckle, which turns into a frown. “Nothing can happen between us. She’s about eleven years younger than me with a look of innocence. I’d scare her off.” I look toward the house, sigh and continue, “I’m also her boss, and she is the best damn employee I have on that floor, although after the past weekend she’s on the bar for the foreseeable future.”
“C’mon, mom keeps looking at us through the window.” Lucien gets me moving again toward the house. “I’ll leave Rosie and your love life alone for now, but not forever.” He grins before becoming serious again. “Ramon told me what happened to her. Do you think the fight had anything to do with the trouble you’ve been having?”
“That thought has crossed my mind a few times. My gut is telling me it has everything to do with it. But how does a fight in the club have anything to do with the vandalism and break-in? It doesn’t make sense.”
I can feel the worry lines in my brow; something is going on at my club and has been for a while now. The pisser is no matter what I do to try and find out who is behind it all I always end up with zilch—nothing.
“I’ll come and hang out at Kenza a couple of times a week. See if I catch anything going on. Ramon can come and be social for a change. I don’t know what the fucks up with him. He’s been distracted since Carla moved in with Sebastian.” Lucien frowns as we walk up the steps to the front porch in time to hear the twins wake up—noisily.
We watch Lily and Carla cuddle the babies, who are getting damn big for eight months old.
Lucien moves forward and kissing Lily on the cheek, plucks Michael Jr. out of her arms. Straightening he places our nephew on his shoulder, which shuts him up immediately. Not wanting to be out done by my brother, I go and greet Carla by kissing her on the top of her head.
“Get your hands off my woman, brother.”
Snickering, I tell Sebastian, “She’s damn sexy with a baby in her arms, and I didn’t have my hands on her. I had my mouth.” I grin at Carla, who rolls her eyes at our teasing. Pinching Charlotte out of her arms, I get her to quiet down on my shoulder with her little face tucked into my neck. I take in a deep breath and smile at the little angel in my arms.
“Besides, this is my girl right here,” I announce rubbing Charlotte’s back. I move her slightly away from my neck and kiss her little nose. God, Charlotte and Jr. have me wrapped around their little fingers. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them—nothing I wouldn’t give them. I lose my ‘man card’ when I’m around these two bundles, and no matter what my brothers say they’re just the same. The twins have everyone wrapped around their little fingers.
“How are you Sabrina? Haven’t seen you for a few weeks.” Usually, Sabrina is at the house every Sunday for dinner because my mom has adopted her after witnessing her interaction with her own mother. Sabrina’s mom seemed more interested in her damn nails than she did in Sabrina’s sprained wrist, which she’d gotten through playing a rather vigorous game of tennis with Ramon.
“I’m good. Thanks Ruben,” she answers, with a quick glance at Lucien before she moves toward the door to the house. “I’ll see if Pippa needs any help.” She disappears inside.
“You have to stop scaring her off,” I turn to Lucien, “otherwise she’s going to stop coming by, which will only upset mom. Plus I really like her.” I grin, which turns into a laugh when Sebastian clamps his arm around Lucien’s shoulders.
Sebastian grins at Carla, and says to Lucien, “If it wasn’t for my woman over there, I’d be doing something about her.” He gets an elbow in the ribs for his teasing.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lucien defends and takes the seat next to Lily, who leans in to offer her finger for her son to grasp.
“Behave, and leave your brother alone,” Lily tells us before kissing Lucien on the cheek.
Anyone watching would think that Lucien was the father of these babies with the way they both carry on. In fact, I’m not sure how Michael has accepted the close relationship that she has with our brother.
We all trust Lucien—the brother code—but Lily and Lucien always seemed too comfortable with each other. Once or twice since Michael accepted her friendship with Lucien, I’ve wondered whether Lucien has stronger feelings for Lily than what he lets on. But it’s none of my business.
“Give me back my daughter,” Michael grins walking out onto the porch, “then again, carry on. I’m going to borrow my wife.” He pulls Lily up from the sofa and pats her on the ass, pulling her toward the barn, which causes Sebastian to act like he’s fifteen by whistling.
I feel sorry for Lily—although she’s laughing, she’s wearing a lovely blush over her face. Michael’s a dick. I shake my head as I watch him shove Lily into the barn in front of him. I don’t even need to guess what they’re going to do.