Chapter 20 Fallon
Fallon
The tempting scent of steak guides me downstairs and into the kitchen. There, on the counter, rests a platter displaying several thick-cut ribeyes, still steaming from the grill. As I lean in to savor the aroma, I’m abruptly thumped on the forehead.
Jerking up and rubbing the offended spot, I glare at Matteo. “Ow.”
He looks at his hand, slightly confused as to what just happened. Was that playful? He gives a slight shake of his head, and I hide my grin. “They need to rest. Go sit, we’ll bring the food over.”
Apparently my stomach blinds me to my surroundings, since I bypassed Akio at the table and was completely oblivious to the presence of both Declan and Ms. T in the kitchen.
The housekeeper shakes her head with a smile when I push away from the counter.
I flounce over to my seat and give Akio a grin as he pours me a glass of wine.
“Such a sucker.” Declan turns his smirk on me, inclining his head in greeting. “Poison.”
The way he rumbles his nickname for me instantly sends my mind back to that day in the gym, his hand in my pants, making me come undone at his touch. Heat rushes to my cheeks.
“I am not a sucker, I am a gentleman. You should try it rather than calling her mean names.” Akio’s easy confidence pulls me into his orbit, and I have no interest in being let go.
“She loves it. Don’t you, Poison?”
“I would love to drink my wine and eat my steak in peace. Thankyouverymuch.” The last comes out in a rush as Matteo and Ms. T come to the table with trays of steak, grilled veggies, homemade rolls and saffron rice.
“I’ll get the plates.” I jump up to help and get a warm feeling from the approving nod Ms. T throws my way. For some reason, what she thinks of me matters. Hello mommy issues, welcome to the party. Have a seat between Daddy issues and red flag attractions.
“Sit down, Poison.” Declan rolls his eyes, as he makes his way to the table behind the others with plates and cutlery in his hands.
“Excuse me, Declan Huxley?” Ms. T’s eyes drill into him.
Looking chastised he mutters, “Sit down, please, Poison.” His eyebrows raise in question toward the motherly figure as he awaits her response. She nods, finding his words acceptable.
Plates are filled and there is a comfort in the clattering of dishes.
Feels like home. That thought leaves me reeling because the truth is, the last time I really felt this was before mom disappeared.
Between Ms. T running the show like a mother hen, the easy banter, and the way they’ve let me into their world, it's no wonder I’m feeling this way. The only thing missing is Quinn.
A twinge of guilt hits me as I think of my best friend. I have no idea what she’s up to, but if I know her, she hasn’t given up. And here I am enjoying a family style dinner as if I don’t have a care in the world.
“Okay, boys.” Ms. T’s Jersey accent jerks me from my thoughts. “I’m heading out.”
Matteo takes his seat after filling his plate. It didn’t escape my notice that he was the one who also fixed mine, silently placing it in front of me. “Why don't you stay and have dinner with us? I made plenty.”
“Thank you, but no thank you.” She dances her shoulders. “I have a hot date tonight.”
The guys all freeze in shock as I chuckle and call after her, “Have fun, Ms. T. Don’t forget condoms.” Teo drops his fork, and Declan chokes on his bite of steak while Akio slaps his back, looking decidedly uncomfortable.
Her laughter echoes behind her as she makes her way to the back door and toward her house.
Taking a bite of my steak, I turn my attention back to the guys. They’re all glaring daggers at me.
“Mmm, thank you for dinner, Funshine.” Laughter bubbles out of me as I take in his reaction.
I don't know if he’s more surprised by Ms. T having a romantic life or by me thanking him for something.
He’ll have to get used to one of those; clearly not the latter because I still firmly believe he’s a dick… mostly.
“So how was work, honey?” I direct this at all three, a deadly sweet smile on my face.
Matteo's eyes sear into mine, reading my reaction. “Productive, actually.”
What the fuck does that mean? Suspicion rolls through me as I narrow my eyes.
“Fallon, can you tell me about–”
“Maybe let's just enjoy dinner for once, yeah?” Akio cuts him off.
Dec grunts. “Agreed.”
Why do I get a little thrill when Dec sides with Akio and the vein in Matteo’s forehead looks like it’s going to burst? He pinches the bridge of his nose, then apparently decides to let go of whatever he was going to ask and we continue the meal in comfortable silence.
Looking down to get another bite of steak, I realize my plate is empty. Well fuck, I might be full but I forgot to savor that last bite. Glancing around I snatch a piece of steak from Akio’s plate, popping it in my mouth before he can react.
“Damn, Siren, were you raised in a barn?”
“Nope, but I would cross some lines for good food.”
He rolls his eyes and huffs out a laugh. “Declan would know all about that, wouldn't you, Dec?”
“Fuck off.” Declan’s cheeks turn the faintest shade of pink, a detail I’d have missed if I hadn’t been studying him so closely.
“What am I missing?” My eyes dart between them.
“Declan stabbed Akio with a fork when we were like seventeen over a pot pie disagreement,” Matteo explains with a slight smirk.
I bark out a laugh while the other three chuckle with me.
It wasn’t long ago that I was taking a swing at Akio with a fork in my first “bedroom”. I wink at Akio and say to Declan, “I guess we’re kindred spirits.”
While I put the plates in the dishwasher, Akio pulls several pints of ice cream from the freezer disguised as a cabinet. I never would’ve found that.
“Okay, Siren. Cookies and cream, cookie dough, double Dutch chocolate, or caramel swirl?”
“Hey! The chocolate is mine!”
Akio puts his hand in Declan’s face, silencing him. I could choose the chocolate just to fuck with him.
“My choice, huh? So chivalrous.” I snag the cookies and cream and head out of the kitchen.
I stop short of running into Matteo’s chest since I’m not looking where I’m going. His eyes catch on the ice cream in my hand and the strangest look takes over his face. Almost happily surprised?
“Come on, Poison,” Declan nods at the stairs and I follow, grabbing a spoon off of the counter.
We step onto the third floor, bypassing all the offices to the double doors at the very end of the hall. I hear the hushed casual conversation behind me between Akio and Matteo. Declan opens the doors, and I am met with what I can only describe as a man cave.
Vintage lamps adorn the black walls, dimmed to cast enough light to see the space.
Dark leather sofas surround a drop screen.
I completely bypass the pool table and bar for the couch.
I snuggle up in the blanket that was on the arm of it and plop my feet onto the center ottoman.
“So, what are we watching?” I ask while popping the lid of the ice cream as the others settle in.
“Whatever you’re in the mood for, Siren.”
That’s an impossible decision. “V for Vendetta?” I have no idea if they will even have that one.
“Sure.” Akio smirks at the others as he rents the movie from .
“Where did you get this taste in movies? I highly doubt it’s from Daddy Helix.” Matteo seems relaxed. It’s weird, but also something I feel the urge to lean into and enjoy.
“Ha, nope, definitely from my mom. We used to have epic movie nights when Dad was out of town, kinda like this, actually.”
“Was he out of town a lot?” Declan asks through a mouthful of ice cream. He’s in the chair by my side of the couch, his feet on the same ottoman as me.
“Yeah, pretty frequently.” I dig into my ice cream as I watch the beginning of the movie, but I can’t seem to focus on it with the conversation taking place.
“Did he take Clay with him?” The strange look on Akio’s face gives me pause.
“I mean, I think so. It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“How close are you and Clay?” This time I can see the violence in Matteo’s eyes as he joins the discussion.
“I don't know, Funshine, you tell me? You three are the ones who stalked me for God knows how long.” A mixture of irritation and amusement stirs in me.
“You should stay away from him. He’s bad news.” Akio subtly scoots closer so our thighs are touching.
I circle my spoon in the air indicating my situation. “Yeah, let me get right on that.”
Declan’s still watching the movie, but chimes in, “At least your mom had good taste in movies. Can’t say the same about her men.”
“Hey, watch it.” I’m not even irritated that he doesn't like my dad; it’s just that no one gets to talk about mom like that. “You still have no evidence that he’s involved, so you have no idea what you’re talking about.”
There is a heavy silence in the room, so I take a bite of ice cream to try to cool that sudden spike in temper.
So much for letting me pick a movie and getting to enjoy it.
Akio finally breaks the tension. “I know we have danced around the topic of your mom, but what do you think happened to her?” His eyes soften with his words, lowering my defenses.
“I, uh, I’m torn about it.” I chew my bottom lip while I try to find a way to put all of my thoughts into words.
“I want to believe Dad because that would mean she’s alive out there somewhere.
Even though he pushed to have her declared dead, he always said she abandoned us, at least behind closed doors. ”
“Why would he push so hard to have her declared deceased?” Matteo sounds thoughtful but when I hear such clinical terms like deceased in connection with mom, I can't help the internal cringe I feel.
“Why else? Money. It’s always about money with him.” I shake my head.
“Why would he need more money?” Declan asks. “He’s loaded. Trust me, we know.”