The steel doors close, all seven of us inside, packed in the small space like matchsticks. “You really brought the heavies to Colombia with you.” I laugh, squished next to him and feeling happy to be by his side. “Reno and Letterman were more than enough hired muscle.”
He frowns. “What the fuck is a gender reveal party? You know I’m a hot-blooded male, right? There’s nothing to reveal. I mean, you’ve seen my twin’s dick, haven’t you?”
“Dré!” My cheeks blaze. “Stop it.”
“It’s true, isn’t it?” He turns his head, his eyes drilling into my embarrassment. “Gio was supposed to look after you, not take advantage. I love the fucker, but he crossed a line.”
“I dragged him over the line, Dré. Do you seriously think he’s the big bad wolf and I was a defenseless lamb?” I fold my arms and look away from his dark, assessing gaze. “I’m a woman now, in case you haven’t noticed.”
And I was ready to be treated like one.
The floor numbers reduce rapidly before my eyes. I pull back my shoulders and raise my chin, feeling him watch me.
He scratches the coarse hairs on his jaw. “Well, I guess that’s what today is all about, then.”
When the doors slide open, two guards move out first, check the area, and nod to the others. André’s hand settles on my lower back, and he ushers me into the hotel foyer.
Daylight bounces off the polished floor and a trio of sparkly chandeliers dangles over sectional sofas. Together we move past the sleek reception desk, along a freshly carpeted corridor, and reach a dead end. Looking to the right, my lungs expand, filled by a sudden inhale.
Through a set of glass doors, there’s a small function room. The ceiling’s crammed full of pearl colored helium balloons with pale pink ribbons.
“You’re having a girl!” I squeeze his arm.
Dré frowns. “Uh, this isn’t for them.”
“Them?”
“Yeah, we’re having twins. A girl and a boy.” He winks at me. “I have super sperm.”
“Shit… why did I not see that coming?” Staring at him, I giggle behind my fingers.
“I thought we’d make a day of it since our family is all in one place again.” The sentiment to his wording isn’t missed. “This is for you, Indy. It’s my way of making up for not being around on your big birthday. Sinéad did most of the organizing, though. Apparently, petting zoos are for kids, not eighteen-year-old women.” He smirks.
I blow out my cheeks and let the air whoosh past my lips, still in shock. “Twins… holy shit!” I mutter, the news sinking in.
A pang of jealousy trickles through my veins. I can’t help it. I’m older now and his focus would be elsewhere.
“Yeah.” He nods slowly, his eyes suddenly darkening to pitch black. “If I have champion swimmers, Gio will have them, too. If he’s knocked you up––”
“Oh my God, stop!” My hands fly to my face, covering my eyes. “Are we really doing this, Dré?”
“Were you really doing it with my brother?” he counters.
Slowly, I peek out at him through my fingers and sigh. “Yes. I had sex with Giovanni multiple times, and no, I’m not pregnant. I had a contraceptive shot, okay?” I uncover my face and set my hands on his chest. “Gio and I are good together.”
André narrows his eyes. “You don’t know him like I do, India.”
“I know all the important stuff.” I blink up at Dré, missing hungry green eyes, healing facial wounds, and a mouth so addictive I feel like I’ve had to go cold turkey without it. “I know Reno would be pissed––”
“He’s not the only one.” He cuts in. “Letterman isn’t happy about it either.”
“Look, I get it. But Reno isn’t here anymore and I’m an adult, Dré. Not to mention the guy is your brother. I mean, my standards were set kinda high from the beginning. So, who better to hook up with than your twin?” I giggle, but André doesn’t crack a smile.
“You know it was just a hookup? Nothing more,” he states. “Because that's all he’ll ever give you.”
I let out a sigh, frustrated he doesn't understand how deep my feelings run. “It's more than that.”
André shakes his head. “Women can’t help themselves around a guy like him. It’s the danger that gets them all horny and wet. I’ve seen it play out hundreds of times. He would walk into a club and ignore every single sweet-assed female in the place. It drove them fucking wild. They wanted to crack the code and spread their legs for Gio even though he genuinely scares the shit out of everyone. Men are terrified of the guy and women want to act out their dark fantasies with him.”
