Page 132

But he’d literally just said the gift was from all three of them, so then why is Madd the only one presenting said gift?

My nostrils flare on a deep breath. As fun as it had been spending Kato’s money, I can admit I’m a little worn out. Both physically and emotionally.

Flora split off from me at the last store we visited, so it had been up to me and my shadows to haul all this crap into the house. The rest will be delivered, and I have every intention of sitting pretty and watching my guys carry boxes and bags into the house.

“Where is he?” I ask. Might as well get this over with and find out what has Brix and Kato so uncomfortable.

“Basement,” he says, jerking his head for me to follow him.

I haven’t been down there other than the day I confronted Kato and got fucked into the padded floor.

Better not be some kind of workout equipment. It isn’t that I’m opposed to a treadmill or even lifting some weights, but no woman wants something that makes us feel as though our bodies aren’t good enough when we’re already pissed.

Instead of peppering Brix with questions, I walk silently beside him, stealing glances at him every few feet.

Why the hell does he have to be so hot? Why do all three of them have to make my panties wet and my heart race?

As I watch his tattooed forearm swing beside me, my heart softens a bit. His hand is clenched in a fist and he’d looked…well,almost sad when he came into my room to tell me Maddox was ready for my surprise.

This isn’t right. I want to stay mad at him, at all three of them, but they’re human. They made a mistake and I know they’ll spend the rest of their lives making it up to me.

How do I know that?

Same way I know all three of them will be over the moon when I reveal I decided against getting a new implant and I’m ready to start trying for a family.

When we were young, we used to talk about how many kids we wanted. We’d tease about whose sperm would be strongest. They would come up with these future contests to see who could knock me up the most often.

Now? I’m not sure I’m ready to think about having more than one to take care of, because I sure as fuck will never do like my mother and allow another person to raise my son or daughter the way my nannies did with me.

Although…I mean, having a little help would be okay if we had at least three kids. That would give each of them a shot at knocking me up.

Why the hell am I thinking about this right now? I’m still angry – more like hurt – and whatever surprise Madd has for me isn’t making Brixton or Kato all that happy, even if Brix said the gift is technically from all three of them.

Images of a pony wandering the backyard flash through my mind, but Brix said Madd and the gift are in the basement. A puppy, maybe? A kitten? I know my guys aren’t hip on pets. Mainly because they used to say there’s always a chance someone might not come home, and the poor cat or dog would be sitting there waiting for someone to feed and water it.

Never understood that sentiment considering every Family has a slew of employees who I’m sure wouldn’t let an innocent animal starve to death.

I can hear Kato’s voice rumbling from the office as we step onto the landing and move through the house. It fades as we make our way to the kitchen, and I smile at Ms. Galanos as she stands on a chair wiping down the cabinet fronts.

“Why the hell are you up there when there’s a real-life giant living here?” I ask her.

I have never been a fan of heights, but I really don’t like seeing the older woman stretching onto her toes to reach as high as possible.

“It’s my job, Mrs. Antoniou,” she replies without glancing in my direction.

The title shocks me and I slow to a stop, my wide eyes going from her to Brix. Yeah, in a week that will be my name. Doesn’t mean it’s any less strange being treated as though I’m already married to the Don.

Brix’s hand lands on the small of my back and urges me forward. With a few blinks, I walk forward and pull open the door leading to the basement.

Not only is the basement fully finished in this house, but it could easily pass for a whole other mini mansion. It spans the entire length of the house, and has several closed doors once you pass the home gym. I’ve never actually gone this far in the basement.

When we were kids, the bottom level was absolutely forbidden. It wasn’t until our teen years that we discovered the kind of debauchery that occurred on a regular basis down here.

Kato had obviously made some changes and done some reno. The home gym is top of the art, the lighting is warm and cozy without making me feel like I’m traversing under ground level.

But the further we move down the hall, the cooler the air gets and there’s this…odor. It’s cloying and reminds me way too much of a decaying corpse.

Actually, with what my guys do and how they grew up, there’s a good chance more than one person might very well have died in this very basement. The home gym, while obviously used by my men, could also be considered camouflage if anyone were to wander down here.