“Will be here within the hour, so I’d hurry.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Axton
LEAVING HER IN BED. Alone. Was hard. I wanted to turn on my heel and push her against the nearest wall — naked.
Yeah¸ wrong thing to think of as I made my way downstairs and into the huge, obscene dining room with windows lining one entire wall.
Again, we didn’t do small.
Breakfast was already set out.
Phoenix was drinking coffee and arranging food on his plate — bland food, because apparently he wasn’t allowed to enjoy life anymore — or salt for that matter.
Bee, Campisi’s sister, was right next to Phoenix, leaning towards him, most likely putting him through hell if his grimace was any indication. She was a handful, a gorgeous handful I wanted no contact with. We’d introduced ourselves and that was it. I knew her name; she knew mine. Done.
She was Phoenix’s burden.
Sergio was at the head of the table reading the newspaper.
“Morning,” I barked strolling into the room.
Bee smiled brightly.
Phoenix grunted and scooted away from her. She just followed. I had half a mind to feel sorry for him. His eyes were pleading when they met mine.
Fine. “Hey Bee.” I cleared my throat. “I heard you make some killer espresso?”
She beamed. “All those years in Sicily.”
“Care to make me one?” I winked. “Sorry it’s just been a really long night and I’ve been missing my coffee.”
“Sure!” She bounced up from her chair and made her way into the kitchen. When I knew the coast was clear I flashed my middle finger to Phoenix.
“Don’t even care that you just flipped me off.” He shook his head. “Thank you, seriously. Thank you.”
“She’s just a girl.”
“No.” He laughed without humor. “She’s not. If she was just a girl I wouldn’t be tempted to fall on my own knife.”
“De Langes,” I taunted. “So dramatic.”
He gave me the middle finger back. Nice.
“The guys will be here soon.” Sergio set down the newspaper. His dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. I always wondered why he grew it out, made him look like… a girl. He had too fine of features, at least to me he did, what the hell did he want to look like? A fairy-tale prince? Because he was totally channeling charming.
“What?” He squinted.
“Nice hair.”
And more middle fingers.
I smirked and took a seat, piling my plate with food, just as Amy made her way into the room.
She cleared her throat.
I damn near fell out of my chair.
Why she’d chosen to wear black skinny jeans, heels, and a killer tight t-shirt, I had no clue but damn she looked better than breakfast.
Sergio spit out his coffee onto the newspaper while Phoenix hid a grin and then flashed me a knowing smile.
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
“Amy,” Sergio croaked out. “As beautiful as ever.”
“Sergio,” she said through clenched teeth. “Once a liar, always a liar. Good to see you.”
His smile fell as his eyes narrowed. Good job, Ames, way-ta poke the bear.
Phoenix, still smiling, glanced at Amy. “Hey cousin.”
“C-cousin?” Her eyebrows furrowed. “You?”
“I know, I know, I look like hell, don’t ask why, and try not to deny it. Just pisses me off more. Yeah, cousins, first cousins, haven’t seen you since you were carted away to foster care though.”
Amy swallowed and folded her hands in front of her. “I don’t remember you.”
“Yeah well, that makes two of us.” Phoenix grimaced. “I was a different guy then. You hungry?”
“Yeah.” She touched her stomach. “Starving, Ax didn’t feed me once.”
I shot Amy a glare. “Tell them you’re kidding before Phoenix impales me with a knife.”
Her look was innocent.
“Ames…”
“I can do this all day, Ax…” her smile grew.
I exhaled and shook my head at Phoenix. “I fed her well, swear.”
“Sure you did…” Phoenix leaned back in his chair. “Her lips look a bit swollen, don’t you think, Sergio?”
“Hmm.” Sergio looked up and shrugged. “Seems Ax can’t keep his hands to himself, even when he’s told to.”
I reached for the eggs, ignoring their prodding.
“I kissed him,” Amy blurted.
The spoon clattered out of my hand as Phoenix and Sergio’s sudden swearing filled the room.
“He tried pushing me away…” She reached for a cup of coffee and brought it to her lips. “But you know men… weak.”
Phoenix burst out laughing. While Sergio just went back to the newspaper.