Page 14 of Disgrace

John’s brow rose high as he took in his cousin a second time. Andino never looked more nervous than he had in that moment. His cousin scrubbed a hand over his unshaven jaw, and his gaze kept darting back to Haven like he didn’t want to take his eyes off her for even one damn minute.

Huh.

John knew that look.

He had that look.

Every time he looked at Siena, that was.

It was kind of strange for John to see his cousin so off-balance in this way. And marriage? Genuine, honest to God, going to settle down marriage?

John never thought he would see the day. Not where Andino was concerned, anyway. His cousin just wasn’t the type to settle down into a monogamous relationship where something like forever and love might get thrown in the conversation. Not to mention, Andino was usually the guy who liked to poke fun at a man who did get his dick tied into a knot over a woman.

This was a whole one-eighty.

So yeah, John did a double-take.

“Seriously?”

Andino nodded. “Yeah, man.”

“I thought … I mean, the family didn’t have a high opinion of her a few months ago, and all. I thought they had made it clear she wasn’t acceptable, or some shit. You kind of gave me the impression you didn’t know what the hell you were doing about them, her, or the rest.”

“It’s not about them.”

Fact.

He knew that all too well. Sometimes when it came to their family, the best thing a man could do on the personal side of his life was shut the fuck down. Keep everything closed up tight. Make it clear nothing was open for discussion.

John didn’t know if that’s what Andino had done when it came to Haven, or not. It also really didn’t fucking matter.

Good for Andino.

Whatever it took to get what the man wanted.

John laughed, and clapped his cousin on the shoulder. Dragging Andino in for a quick, tight one-armed hug, the two men’s laughter colored up the front yard of the facility. Andino hugged John back with a firm hold.

Some of John’s unease about leaving the facility started to drift away in those few seconds. Despite how his disorder often colored up his impressions and perceptions of his family, he still found himself reminded time and time again of their loyalty and love for him.

No, he didn’t mind at all that Andino brought his girl along. He appreciated it, really. He would make sure to take time and speak with Haven while she was there because it was what she, and Andino, deserved.

Besides, the woman had to be something interesting to catch Andino Marcello’s eye, and steal his fucking heart.

But for now …

“Give me some time with Siena,” John said quietly as he pulled away from his cousin. “It’s been too long.”

Andino stepped aside. “You got it, John.”

All John needed to do was hold his hand out in Siena’s direction, and she instantly darted forward to catch it with her own. The second her warm palm fitted in his, and her fingers wove around his own, John’s world tilted back to its proper axis once more.

Strange how that worked.

It had been months since he looked at her—talked to her—and yet it took only one single touch from her to settle him. His restless heart calmed, and his tight chest relaxed. Everything that was right and good in his world was currently holding his hand. It was just a gesture. A small act of affection, but it was everything and more to John, too.

Siena’s blue eyes met his, and her sweet smile grew a little more. Her olive-toned skin flushed with a happy pink when he bent down and caught her lips in a quick kiss. Maybe he should have asked if that was okay with her, but the way she kissed him back said it was just fucking fine, anyway.

He had a million and one things to ask.