“You okay, Katherine Anne?” Bekah asks, and I look away from Dad and toward Kiki.
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“You sure? Because this is Momma Joe’s cannoli pie recipe. Brisa, Tris, and I made it especially for you, because it’s your favorite. We’d love for you to try it out.”
“Okay. Thanks. I appreciate it,” Kiki says, but she looks like she might hurl.
“I’d love a slice of that pie, Mrs. Steel,” Brand says, and rather loudly.
This is un-fucking-believable, I think to myself.
“Me, too.” Luna grins at Brand.
“You want a brother or sister?” Brand asks Luna.
“You watch it, Falcon. This is family,” I again warn the fucker.
“Um …” She looks at Bella, who smiles at her and nods, then back at Brand. “I want a sister. Do you have one?”
“Nope, two brothers,” he answers.
“I want a brother, too, but first a sister.”
“Katy, what are you hoping for?” Brand asks, his voice softer now, thank God.
“A quick delivery.”
“Most women would answer a healthy baby,” he says disgustedly.
“Walk,” I say, and he glares at me.
Then Kiki says, rather loudly, “It’s delicious.”
Shit, she’s trying to piss him off.
I nudge Brand. “Come on, man.”
“I’m good here,” he hisses.
“Fuck you are.” I stand up. “My uncle looks like he’s gonna explode.”
“Don’t give a damn.”
“You will.” Dad drops his napkin and stands. “Let’s go.”
“Not until—”
“Now,” Dad hisses.
“I wanna talk to—”
He stops when I yank him up and walk him toward the door, whispering, “Shut the fuck up. You will later.”
“You need to stay the hell out of this, Patrick,” Dad scolds me.
“Not like I’m not already balls deep right in the fucking—”
“Mouth,” Mom says from behind me and Dad, who are basically boxing Brand in.
She walks in front of us and grabs his hand. “Let’s go.”
“I’m not River James,” he hisses at Dad. “I don’t need a—”
“Then quit while you’re ahead,” Mom interrupts.
Once out on the deck, I start pointing a finger in his face. “That was bullshit.”
“I’m out.” He turns and heads toward the stairs.
“You can’t drive. I got your keys,” Xavier calls after him.
“Headed to the guest house,” he slurs.
“The what?” I ask.
“Yeah, bought that, too.”
“The fuck did he just say?” I ask Dad.
“I think the three of us need to chat,” Mom says, nodding toward the stairs. “Let’s take a walk.”
I may have promised Mom and Dad that I would leave him alone, but Crew is Crew.
Not that Kiki confirmed Brand is the father of her kid, but after putting two and two together, we are ninety-nine percent sure. After Kiki agreed to talk to the fucker, that moved to ninety-nine point nine percent.
When I walk to the “guest house,” I find he’s passed out outside in the damn cold, so I shake the fucker awake.
“Katy?”
“No, you stupid fuck. It’s Patrick. She agreed to two minutes.”
“Two minutes?”
“Yeah. Uncle Jase is suspicious, because you’re a fucking idiot. You wanna be with her, be her man. Even though she’s knocked up, you need to chill,” I say, baiting the fucker. Then I let go of him and step back. “Dude, did you fuck my cousin?”
“Not sure I’d call it—”
Without thought, I swing and nail him in the eye. “What the fuck, man? I thought you needed my help getting her attention; make her like you.” I draw my fist back again.
“You got one. You won’t get two,” he warns.
Dumb fuck, I think and hit him with a left.
“You got two.” He shrugs. “Might as well keep going.” He hold his hands up and leaves himself wide open for the next shot, which takes the fun out of it.
“The first was for her. The second, from me, for lying to me.”
“What was I supposed to say? Your little nymph cousin begged for my dick and I couldn’t deny her?”
I swing at him again, and this time, the asshole catches my fist.
“At least I actually liked her, wanted something with her. Did all the others? I don’t see them lining up down the shore.”
Now I’m livid, and I almost get him … almost.
“Stop throwing punches, Tricks!”
“Then shut your fucking mouth!”
“Fair enough. Send her over.”
“Not sure I should!” I yell.
“If you don’t, I’ll go over there.”
“You treat her like shit, I’m coming back with fucking Jase.”
“Noted,” he say then walks inside.
I walk out and see Kiki standing there.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be fucking sorry, Kiki.” I hug her. “Just don’t forget we’re here.”
She hugs me back. “I know.” Then, when she steps back, she shrugs. “I’ll be fine.”