Gone - Anna Brooks Page 0,44
I don’t know how I haven’t. I guess all the times I had the opportunity to, he just wasn’t around. I vaguely remember Gio saying something about D not being able to be here, or D was out on assignment, but I never would have thought that Damien was the D Gio was talking about, does that make sense?”
“I understand.” She wipes her hand on her apron and slices another avocado for her famous guacamole. “But I have to say that I’m disappointed in you.”
Oh God, that’s the worst. I’d rather have her be pissed off at me. “Por qué?”
“Because you wait until this special day to tell your brother this news that’s sure to make him upset? Lord pray you don’t ruin what he struggled for years to finally have again.”
She turns her back to me to get something out of the fridge, effectively telling me the conversation is over. Dammit. She’s right, but I’m still going to do it. This is one of the only times I can have them see each other for the first time and pretty much guarantee they won’t get into a brawl because Gio won’t fight in front of his family, not like that. He would in a restaurant or anywhere public, I’m sure.
As quickly as I can, I finish dicing the fruit, avoiding my mother’s sad face, and then dump it all into a large bowl and carry it outside. I set it on the table with the rest of the food and turn around and run right into Q. I’ve met him several times, once when he installed my security system, and at almost every family function the guys at Royal have had, he’s usually there. “Hi.” I squeak in surprise.
“Hey, Bella. I haven’t seen you in a while. How have you been?”
“Good. You?”
He grins knowingly. “Yeah, I bet you have been. Damien’s making sure of that.”
“You know?” I whisper in shock, glancing behind me to make sure nobody else heard. “Did he tell you? Does he know you know?”
“Yes, I know, and no he doesn’t know that I do. What I don’t know is why Damien thinks your middle name is your last name and has no clue you’re G’s sister.”
I wave the question off. “Tiny misunderstanding.”
He chuckles. “Regardless of why, I honestly can’t believe D hasn’t figured it out.”
“Well, he’s about to. He’ll be on his way shortly.”
Q glances over at Gio, who is standing next to Whitney, his hand around her waist, talking to some of the guys from Royal. “Good luck with that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I practically snap.
“Family and work don’t mix. There aren’t any rules, necessarily, but it’s frowned upon for one of us to hook up with one of the guy’s family members… or clients,” he adds regretfully. “Did you hear about what happened with Royce and Paisley a while back?”
I nod. Gio couldn’t help but tell me the story, angry with his co-worker for dating the boss’s daughter, who all the guys adored, behind everyone’s back. Everyone at Royal was pissed at him for a little while. “But they’re fine now.”
“Now, yes. It took a lot to get to that place. Just prepare yourself for things to get worse before they get better, okay? And they will get better with time. They’re both stubborn as fuck, but they’re reasonable men.”
“Yeah, sure.” I hope like hell they are.
“Glad the situation with Danny is resolved now. Later.” He lifts his chin at me and walks away just as my phone vibrates in my back pocket.
The situation is resolved? Why is Q the one telling me and not my own boyfriend?
I open my text and am giddy that it’s from my man. Damien is home, and as soon as he gets out of the shower, he’ll be headed my way. I wait for several minutes before I respond, hoping he’s not out and can’t read it yet. And then I snatch a beer out of the cooler and slam half of it, suddenly regretting that I chose this day for them to find out.
Chapter 12
Damien
The moment I open my door, I know something is off. And because I just got done dealing with trash, and I haven’t seen or touched Izzy in days, I’m more on edge than normal. Judy is crouched in a defensive stance and quietly growling at something, or someone. The fact she’s not attacking tells me whatever it is, she doesn’t perceive it as a threat. When I whip my head