Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Malice
We were seated around the table, with me at the head. My ma sat to my left, followed by Vincent, Cam, and Enzo. On my right were Gwen, Felix, and Amelia.
“So, where do you live, Gwen?” Ma asked.
Gwen had been reaching for her glass of water when she froze. She placed her hands on her lap and glared at me quickly before giving my mother her attention. “You see, I was in a bind, and my boss was kind enough to offer a house in this fine community.”
I could feel Ma’s gaze burning into the side of my face, but I wasn’t looking away from Gwen.
“Did he?” Ma asked.
“Yeah. Such a good boss.”
If she said boss one more time, I was going to pull her over my lap and tan her ass again.
Ma hummed under her breath as she straightened a utensil on the table. “Which house did he move you into?”
Her gaze flared. “One around here.”
“I don’t recall any being open.”
Sighing, I looked at Ma. “Next door.”
The twins grinned at each other, loving this.
Ma’s gaze flared. “Really?”
“Ha-ha, yeah.” Gwen nodded. “I didn’t realize I was so close to the boss either. Awkward. I mean how would I bring someone home—”
I banged my fist against the table. “You won’t.”
Her fire sparked and she leaned toward me. “You don’t have any right—”
“I do.”
She snorted and scoffed, shaking her head.
She looked at Ma as she thumbed my way. “Can you believe this? Just because he pays my bills, he thinks he can lord over me.” She glared back at me.
“If he doesn’t want me to hide all his money overseas, then he shouldn’t be so demanding.
” Looking back at Ma, she asked, “Was he this bad growing up?”
Ma seemed almost gleeful. “Only when he was possessive over something.”
Gwen pointed at me. “Ha, I knew you were like that.”
“Which means you should behave.”
Gwen gasped and would have shot lava from her eyes if she could.
“You and I are having words later,” she threatened.
“I look forward to it.” When her stomach grumbled again, I clipped, “We need food.”
The swinging doors opened, and the cook, David, rushed in with a tray of spaghetti and meatballs. He also placed a bowl of parmesan cheese on the table. “Sorry about the wait.”
Before I had the chance to say anything, Gwen did. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he didn’t give you much notice.”
She was playing with fire.
David let out a strained laugh. “Malice pays me well to be prepared and quick when needed.”
I smirked at Gwen and cocked a brow.
She suddenly blushed and said to Ma, “Sorry. I’m being rude in front of you. I get a bit testy when I’m hungry.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Felix commented while Amelia giggled.
Ma waved a hand around. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I think it’s fucking awesome when she goes head-to-head with him,” Enzo announced.
“Language,” I clipped. “David, don’t worry about the dishes. Cameron and Lorenzo have volunteered for the job.”
David grinned. “Perfect. I’ll be back tomorrow, sir.”
I nodded, and when he left, I ordered, “Help yourself,” while staring at Gwen.
She glowered, grabbed Felix’s plate, and scooped a big amount onto it. Then she held out her hand for Amelia’s while I dished up my mother’s and mine. Vincent and the twins were on their own.
When Gwen had the first mouthful, she moaned around chewing. “This is so good.”
“Can he cook for us too?” Felix asked.
Chuckling, I shrugged. “I don’t see why not.”
Gwen scoffed. “We don’t need a cook. We’re more than capable—”
“Are we?” Amelia asked.
“We’ve managed so far,” she said.
“I really don’t mind,” I told her.
“You need to—”
A knock on the front door brought silence to the room. I wasn’t expecting anyone and hated that someone was here to interrupt this. Looking at Vincent, I gave him a tip of my chin. He understood and excused himself from the table to answer the door.
“How are you enjoying your new rooms, Felix and Amelia?” Ma asked.
They both beamed, but Felix answered, “It’s great, thank you.”
“Yes, I love—” Amelia got cut off by yelling at the front door.
“Don’t fucking talk to me like that. I’m your older brother. Show me some respect.”
For fuck’s sake.
A door slammed, and footsteps thumped toward us, causing the room to thicken with tension.
Benjamin strode around the corner and stopped in front of us.
Vincent shoved past and rounded the table to his seat again.
Before taking his place, he said, “Dearest Benny boy is hurt he wasn’t invited to dinner. ”
An annoyed growl came from our oldest brother before he took a seat at the other end of the table and started shoveling scoops of spaghetti onto his plate.
The others stayed silent. My and Gwen’s families didn’t touch their food. Fury flooded my veins. I didn’t want their first dinner at mine to go to shit because of him. Especially when I wanted them to come to more dinners here.
“It’s okay, everyone. Keep eating.”
When they started again, I glanced at Gwen and felt the uneasiness radiating off her as she twirled the spaghetti around her fork. I hated that my own brother caused this uncomfortable change.
Reaching under the table, I rested my hand upon her thigh.
She stilled for a moment before I felt her relax under my touch.
Then her hand covered mine. She gave it a squeeze and went to take it away, but I quickly held on.
Not a chance was I letting go. When her head snapped toward me, I just continued to eat and watch over the table.
“I’ve got some good news,” Enzo announced into the silence. “I passed all my assessments so far. Top of my class. I’m now preparing for one that’ll make up 40 percent of my grade.”
“I’m so proud of you, my boy,” Ma said. “You’ll do great things for our family after you’ve passed the bar. Won’t he, Malice?”
I nodded, smiling at my brother. “Good job, Lorenzo.”
“Thanks, bro.”
“Does that mean you’re also studying for a final, Cameron?” Gwen asked.
“Yep. I’m still at the top of my class, too, but I’ve got another assessment due soon before the final.”
Ma lifted her wineglass and saluted them. “Such brilliant boys.”
Felix cleared his throat. “Ah, do you guys think we could study together some time? I’ve got exams coming up, and considering you’re both at the top of your classes, I could really use some tips. I have to make sure I stay on top of my grades so I don’t get kicked off the basketball team.”
“Of course, dude,” Cam said.
“For sure.” Enzo nodded. “We can do that.”
Felix grinned. “Thanks.”
Gwen watched them with a soft smile on her lips as they continued to talk. A rare sense of contentment crept in, catching me off guard. I could get used to having them here like this.
“So,” Benjamin drew out.
Except for this prick.
Everyone fell silent again but continued to eat.
“Are you going to introduce me to these lovely people?”
“No,” I replied bluntly.
“Well, that’s not very nice.” Benjamin’s smile didn’t falter. It sharpened. He turned slowly toward Amelia, his gaze dragging over her in a way that made something cold coil in my gut. “Well, aren’t you just the prettiest thing in the room?” he murmured.
Before anyone could react, he reached out and caught her hand. Not gently—firmly. He stroked his thumb across her knuckles as if testing ownership. “I’m Benjamin Garcia, beautiful,” he said, voice low and oily.
He leaned down and didn’t just kiss the top of her hand. He lingered, pressing his lips there for a second too long, breath warm against her skin, eyes lifting to watch her reaction.
My vision went red.
I shot up from my seat, the chair crashing backward. Reaching for my gun, I yanked it free and aimed straight for his head.
Before I could fire, a fork hurtled down the table and struck Benjamin square in the face.
“Don’t you fucking touch her, you creep!” Gwen yelled, her chest heaving, fury blazing in her eyes.
Benjamin slowly straightened, a thin line of blood trailing from his cheek. And he smiled.
Gwen stood and picked up her bowl of spaghetti as if she was ready to throw it. I wanted to laugh at how cute she looked, but I couldn’t.
“Ma, boys. Take our guests back to their place.”
“Of course,” my mother replied instantly. No questions asked. She knew her oldest had fucked up and would receive punishment.
She rose and moved to Felix and Amelia, placing a hand to their shoulders. “Come, kids. We’ll have dessert at yours.”
They glanced at everyone, but when the twins got up and went to stand at the archway, avoiding any eye contact with Benjamin, Gwen’s siblings followed.
Amelia looked back. “Gwen, are you coming?”
“I’ll be over shortly, Melly.”
“Gwendolyn, go,” I clipped.
She snapped her gaze toward me, bright fire burning in her eyes.
“No,” she declared.
It was a gorgeous sight to see.
I wondered if she would give me that same fire and passion in the bedroom.
Fuck. I couldn’t let my mind go there right now. I couldn’t allow myself to get distracted.
Fisting a hand in her hair, I dragged her close, making sure I had her full attention—and that she knew I was serious, not giving a fuck our families were watching.
“Go.”
“You may be the big scary Devil, but I’m not scared of you, baby cakes—and no one messes with my sister.”
Well, fuck me.
She’s proving, yet again, that she can stand beside me in my world.
I wanted to bury my cock deep inside her and claim her right then.
But I still had other fucking matters to deal with.
“Are you sure?” I offered. She may not like what she would see, but I wouldn’t stop her from being a witness. I wanted to know how she’d respond in the end.
“Yes.”
Right.
I looked at my smirking younger brothers, and my mother, who held Felix and Amelia close with a soft smile on her face as she glanced from Gwen to me. I tipped my chin up, which they took as a signal to leave.
Once we heard the front door slam closed, Vincent was up and behind Benjamin in a second, placing his hands on our brother’s shoulders, ensuring he stayed put.