Page 48 of Reckless Desires

“You sound confident,” Trevor says.

“Willing to put that to the test?” Leon challenges.

“This isn’t—” Killian begins but stops when I cut in.

“You want me to kick your ass in front of your older brothers? That’s brave.” I arch a brow.

“Feisty, I can see how you’ve lasted with Killian for this long.” JoJo smirks.

Killian begins to speak in another language, and all his brothers follow. From time to time, they glance at me.

I grab a piece of toast and spread some butter on it. While eating, I just observe them interacting. Something about it makes me jealous. Maybe it’s a reminder of when my sisters and I were the same way. How much has changed with my family after Dad’s passing is really sad. Times when I hated Stasia for pointing out the unnecessary shopping habit I had used to annoy me, but now I realize I wanted her nagging just to keep her close. It felt as though we were losing her after Darius came into the picture. Then Selene married Sal, and she was gone too. Even when Sal passed, as horrible as it was for Selene to deal with, I was always glad, thinking that she would come back home. But with Cameron in the picture, she didn’t even view us as an option. She jumped right into another marriage and never looked back. With Serafina starting college in the fall, it will be just Mom and me. Which isn’t a bad thing, but I miss having my family altogether.

The sound of pounding at the door takes me out of my own pity party and has the men up in arms. Each one holding a handgun, scattering around the house, picking a spot like they are ready to jump into action.

Killian grabs my arm. “Head toward the back.” He pushes me. “Once you hear gunshots, you run.”

“Where am I supposed to go?” I say in a panicked, low voice.

“Are you afraid to die?”

“Maybe?!”

“False alarm!” JoJo shouts.

The tension settles and Killian seems relieved.

A beautiful female comes gliding in with a bottle of champagne in each hand. “What bullshit is this! You guys get to hide out and don’t let the girls have any fun?” she says as though danger isn’t looming around us.

“Fuck, Izzy.” Trevor shakes his head. “You were about to have a body full of bullet holes.”

“Didn’t you get my message?” Jodi walks in holding a duffle bag. “I texted oranges and apples.”

“Don’t you have a key?” JoJo questions.

“I gave it to Killian,” she replies. “And Izzy doesn’t have one.” She glances at her as though to remind Izzy why she doesn’t.

“What are you both doing here?” Killian asks.

“Well, I’m sure Liliana here doesn’t want to be bored. Figured Izzy and I would entertain her.”

“Jodi and Izzy won’t be a bother.” Mickey’s words seem to be the last. “Izzy, come meet Liliana.”

Stepping out from behind Killian, the room is now focused on me. Izzy walks toward me, placing one bottle of champagne under her arm and extending her hand to me. She also has the same crystal blue eyes as her siblings. Her platinum blond hair looks all natural, and she carries a smile that would light up any room.

“Liliana,” she repeats my name as though she’s heard it before. “Nice to meet you.” She shakes my hand. “Hopefully my brothers have been hospitable.”

“So far, no complaints,” I reply.

“Nice necklace,” Izzy comments on the metal link chain around my neck.

I can feel Killian’s stare on me, on my body, sending a wave of heat.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Killian

Most of the day drags on with a tense focus on how to lure Nico Vidalia in, strategizing every detail of our plan to ensure we trap him. This is a one-and-done deal. If we fuck up, it’ll be game over for us. Despite the situation at hand, I enjoy this time with my brothers.