“Carson’s spending the day with me today,” he said.
My frown deepened. “Uh no.” I looked at my brother. “Carson, what’s going on? Is he forcing you to go out with him?” I dropped my phone and sat up straighter.
Carson shifted slightly on his feet. “No, I want to go with him.”
“You want to go with him? For what? You don’t even know him.”
“I am his new big brother. Don’t you think we should spend time together?” Nazai grinned.
I reached over, setting my apple juice down, then stood up. “Actually, no I don’t.” My hands balled at my sides. “If this is some sick game, so help me…”
“Cash, it’s not!” Carson interrupted. “I asked Nazai to hang out. We’re gonna do guy stuff.”
I cocked my head back. “Guy stuff? What exactly is guy stuff?”
“That’s for us to know. Your brother’s in good hands, Wildfire. You don’t gotta worry. I’m not on any funny shit.” My stance didn’t soften. “I saw what happens to those who fuck with your brother. I got too much on my plate to add dodging knives in my own home too.”
“Says the guy who tried to drown me and put a gun to my head.”
He chuckled while my brother’s eyes widened and fell on Nazai.
Nazai smirked. “Don’t worry, kid, that’s all in the past. Plus, your sister liked it. Ain’t that right, Wildfire?”
My eyes narrowed. I turned them back to my brother, ignoring the way my stomach fluttered. “Carson, are you sure you want to go with him? If he’s making you, then you can tell me.”
“He’s not.”
My eyes bounced between them. Finally, I sighed and my shoulders relaxed slightly. “Okay, fine. But you better look out for my brother, Nazai. I don’t know what you two are up to, but nothing better happen to him.”
Truth was, I was starting to trust Nazai. After what he did with Maddox and let me have the kill, it showed maybe he wasn’t that bad. Still, my brother had been through a lot. People preyed on him because he wasn’t the toughest kid and I refused to let that happen to him again.
He smirked. “I got this. Let’s go, Carson.” He stepped into me and gripped the bottom of my chin, tilting my head upward. He licked his lips, making my heart lose its rhythm in my chest. “One day you’re gonna realize I’m not your enemy and you can trust me.” He dipped his head and kissed me. I sighed against his lips and closed my eyes, but it was over before I could fully enjoy it. That was another thing that scared me. I didn’t flinch at Nazai’s touch anymore. Kissing him wasn’t awkward for me anymore. Sometimes I felt like a completely different person around him.
“A’right lets go.” Nazai stepped away and turned to leave with Carson behind him. He unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Oh, my mom is on her way to get you. Make sure you’re ready.” He and Carson were leaving out front door before I could protest.
I stood there dumbfounded.
A second later, my phone vibrated on the couch. I glanced at it and squinted, seeing a text from Nazai’s mom.
The in law
Be there in 10. Be waiting in the lobby.
____
“It’s a shame you and my son have been married for almost a month and this is the first time we’ve gotten together since dress shopping.” Nora took a seat next to me on her couch. “I got the pictures back from the photographer and they’re stunning.” She handed me the thick manila folder.
I glanced up at her then down at the folder. The last thing I expected was for her to bring me to her house. I didn’t know much about my mother-in-law, except that she was part of the one percent of socialites in the city. She never left the house with a hair out of place or makeup not done. She was just who I’d picture when I thought of a high-powered, ex judge’s wife with dark secrets.
Blinking slowly, I opened the folder and pulled out a pile of photos. My lips parted as I searched through them. I couldn’t believe the girl in the photos was me. Although it was all fake, I looked like a real bride. Pausing on a picture of me and Nazai at the altar, I lifted it and studied his face. The way he looked at me made goosebumps form on my skin and my heart stutter. His eyes weren’t the ones of someone marrying someone just because he had to. I could be mistaken but he actually looked like he adored me.
I swallowed hard, lowering the picture and continuing to skim through them. “The photographer did an amazing job, didn’t she? I want to get this one framed.” She grabbed the picture of Nazai putting the ring on my finger.
I sank my teeth into my bottom lip. My eyes dropped to my left hand where the large rock sat on my finger.
“Nice choice,” I said, feeling a tingling through my veins. A weird sensation passed through me.
“You know my son’s birthday is next week. Have you thought about what you’re going to get him?”
