A Cut so Deep - Dani Rene Page 0,22
all?” Cassian poses, before taking a bite of his meal.
“Not really. More like tone-deaf.” I smile at him. “My mother wasn’t impressed that I didn’t want to get into show business as well. All my life, she begged and pleaded for me to go to castings. Even though I’ve been to a few, I never got the part. I guess acting isn’t my forte.”
“Being fake, not your kind of thing?” This comes from Damien, drawing my attention to him. The corner of his mouth quirks and I see the dimple forming in his cheek. His dark brow lifts into a perfect arch, and those baby blues flash with a challenge.
“No, it’s not. I guess being an asshole is your kind of thing?” At my challenge, both Finn and Cassian gasp, then laugh out loud, as they slap their hands in a high five across the table. But all the commotion doesn’t break the eye contact between Damien and me.
There’s a glint of surprise in his eyes. The shimmer of mischief, and then he smiles, and I’m not ready for it. Not my heart, not my body and, certainly, not my mind.
“Being an asshole takes a special kind of talent,” he says, leaning back against his chair. It’s almost as if he takes great satisfaction in being such a dick. He slides his chair back, rises to full height, and I can’t help my hungry eyes from drinking in every inch of him. He slowly rounds the table, making his way toward me.
When he reaches my chair, Damien leans in and presses his lips to my ear, which has heat shooting through every nerve in my body. My skin tingles with awareness of his proximity, and I bite back the whimper that threatens to escape.
“Don’t ever underestimate me, wild rose,” he murmurs in my ear. “I may be proud of it, but only those close to me are ever allowed to call me an asshole to my face.”
My mouth goes dry, my throat struggles to work, but I find my words, even though they come out in a croak. “And what happens to those who aren’t close to you?”
“They pay dearly,” he mumbles, the tone of his voice dropping so low, it’s almost as if his words vibrate through me.
He pushes up and leaves us in the dining room. I watch him for a long moment before I look back and find both brothers staring at me.
“I have to say, little sister,” Finn starts, “you have some big lady balls.” With a chuckle, he finishes his meal, offering us a quick salute, before he leaves the table. Cassian is smiling as he pushes his plate away.
“What?” I ask, turning to face the middle brother. He looks just like Damien, only his hair isn’t as dark, it’s more of a chocolate brown. He doesn’t look like an asshole, whereas Damien has that aloof coldness to his demeanor.
“Oh, I’ve just never seen anyone challenge my brother like that.” He sounds like he’s impressed when he says this. I can feel him regarding me closely, and I’m sure he’s trying to figure me out. It’s the first time I’ve been scrutinized so wholly by someone. Even with my mother’s job, I’ve steered clear of the public eye, for the very reason that people try to figure you out while they come up with their own conclusions on who you are.
“I think he should be called out more often,” I say, but my hands tremble when I think about how close his mouth was to mine. If I had turned my head, I would’ve practically kissed him.
Cassian grins, as something flashes in his eyes. His smirk matching his brother’s and I wonder, briefly, just how they can look so alike, yet act so different. At least, from what I’ve seen in the short time I’ve spent with all three of them.
“I like you, Nesrin,” Cassian tells me. “I think you’ll be a breath of fresh air in this family.” He tips his head to the side before he nods and turns to leave. I watch him for a long moment before I take a deep breath, then let it out slowly. My feisty nature hasn’t come to light in such a long time, that even I was shocked at my outburst with Damien. A small smile curls my lips when I think about how his eyes flashed with indignation at my challenge.
“How was dinner?” Joy asks as she enters the room.
“It was lovely, thank you,”