“You’re even prettier in the flesh,” he whispers, tilting close. “Those blue eyes of yours really make you stand out from the crowd.”
Even though there’s something about him I don’t like, there’s also something intriguing that gently tugs at my core. A little pull of danger and a slight whisper of attraction.
Not enough to make me question my feelings for Giovanni. Rather an awareness of being a woman who’s missing her man.
“Gio is a lucky bastard, isn’t he?” Matheus agrees, his voice hoarse, smooth, and very much different from the way I’d heard him talk before. “You always were a pretty kid, India. And now you’re all grown up. That’s why André is so protective of you. There are guys out there who’d love to mess with a girl like you.”
“You’re right, Mat. I have grown up and I can look after myself these days. The guys made sure I could handle weapons…andcreeps.” I fire a smug grin at Luke and watch mischief dance in his eyes.
“I guess you can.” Matheus laughs, and I can’t help feeling nervous. “I was a little concerned when Dré told me Giovanni was taking you in. I thought you’d never make it out of his house alive. Tell me…” His charming aura moves around me when he angles to the bar, collects a shot glass, and turns back to me. “What’s he really hiding in that house he won’t give me the address to?”
I accept the clear liquor he offers me, knowing I won’t drink it and shrug nonchalantly. “Nothing. We all like our space. Your brother likes his.”
His eyes narrow and he licks his lips. “Giovanni is the king of secrets. But you… he hit send on your pre-prom hook up and gave us a peek through the peephole. Why was that?”
“Fuck yeah, I saw that video.” Luke interrupts, running his fingers through his hair, his full exhale loud. “I have to admit, I jerked off a few times with that one on repeat.”
Matheus glances at his friend and smirks.
“Christ.” I mutter, the drink in my hand becoming more appealing.
“What?” Luke raises his eyebrows, pretending his statement’s perfectly acceptable. “It was hot.” He shrugs. “Really. Fucking. Hot.”
My expression falls. How many strangers have seen it? “It wasn’t for anyone’s entertainment.”
“Well, kudos to you because we were entertained.” Luke sinks a shot and slams the glass down. “Your turn.” He nods to me.
“Who else did you show it to?” I keep my eyes on Matheus, glaring at him. “That was family business. Gio will be pissed if you’ve put his face all over the internet.”
Matheus breathes out a low laugh and burns his chestnut brown eyes into mine. “Relax, Indy. I only showed him.” His head tilts towards Luke who salutes me. “And our two roommates. That’s it.” His mouth curls at one side. “My friends are loyal… like you. Not blood, but one hundred percent family.”
Luke slaps a hand on Matheus’ shoulder and squeezes. “Fuck, Mat. I never thought of it that way. She’s like your little sister.” He frowns, then offers me a cheeky smile. This guy is trouble.
“Suppose she is.” Matheus cocks his head in contemplation. “More like a sister-in-law after my brother popped her cherry.”
“I’m standing right here, you know,” I grit out. “There’s no need to talk about me in third person. And whatever I did with Gio is my business.”
Matheus’ lips quirk. “You’re right. I’m only teasing, Indy.” He punches Luke in the bicep. “Apologize to her.”
Luke grins at me. “Sorry, blue eyes.”
Matheus leans into the side of my face and lightly kisses my cheek. “Maybe I’m just jealous,” he says, his breath an intimate caress.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise, my pulse pumping. His smell is a mix of liquor and cologne. A similar brotherly reminder of André. After a pause, he adds, “You know more about my brother than I do.”
I straighten my spine. “I’m sure Luke knows more about you than Gio does, or even Dré, huh?” I challenge. “I bet you don’t mention all the stuff you get up to with your friends to your brothers?” I side-eye Luke. “I mean, you probably wouldn’t tell Gio that your buddy here jerked off to our video while you sat next to him, right? Because you wouldn’t forward a super private video of him to anyone else in case it was leaked. You’d know better than that.”
Luke chuckles under his breath. “I’d really like to play with this girl, Mat.”
Matheus tips liquor into his mouth and lets it slide down his throat, keeping his eyes on me. “Said like a proper little sister, Indy. You’d look very cute with pigtails,” he muses and turns to Luke. “Mess with her and I’ll cut your throat.”
I laugh to myself and knock back the shot, feeling a little rebellious and a lot proud of myself.
“She'd be worth it.” Luke pats his jeans pockets. “But out of respect for your family… I’ll treat yoursisterlike she’smysister.” He digs out a pack of cigarettes and takes one, biting it between his teeth. “Do I seriously have to smoke outside?”
“You heard Dré. No smoking near Sinéad while she’s pregnant, or he’ll shoot you in the face.”
Matheus sucks the edge of his thumb into his mouth and cleans off a drip of aniseed liquor. The chunky gold bracelet on his wrist twinkles under the lights.
