Page 88 of Burdens

“Doesn’t matter. I’m still older,” I retorted with a smile, giving his shoulder a final squeeze. “All right, let’s head inside.”

We made our way out of the courtyard, but Jamal paused once we reached the back door. He turned to me with a pensive expression on his face. “I know you were trying to protect me, but no more keeping secrets, okay?”

I gave him a solemn nod. “No more secrets, Jamal.”

“Good,” he said before reaching for the handle to open the door.

Once we stepped inside, my gaze landed on Amalia, who was still in the kitchen, a small rag in her hand. She offered a knowing smile as if she knew what had transpired between Jamal and me outside.

Knowing her, she’d probably watch our whole interaction through the window.

Valentina’s eyes stayed glued to her screen, but Kai glanced up from his computer, his eyes bouncing between Jamal and me.

“Finally,” he exclaimed. “It was about time you two made up.” He looked at Jamal. “You were getting even grumpier than you usually are.”

Jamal rolled his eyes as he made his way to them. “Keep the commentary to yourself, Kai,” he said, grabbing his own computer and taking the seat next to him.

Kai looked at him and held his hand up. “Apologies, sir. Just stating facts.”

“Just get back to work,” he told him, never looking away from his screen, his fingers tapping away on the keyboard.

I chuckled under my breath, amused by their back and forth. With one last glance at them, I turned my attention back to my girl, making my way over to where she leaned against the counter and placing my hands on either side of her.

She tossed the damp rag she’d been holding onto the side and rested her hands on my hips, the warmth of her skin seeping through the thin fabric of my shirt.

“I take it the conversation went well?” she asked, her gaze meeting mine.

I nodded, a sense of relief washing over me. “Thankfully,” I responded, grateful that Jamal and I managed to have this conversation.

Leaning forward, she pressed a gentle kiss before pulling away, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I knew it would,” she murmured.

I returned her smile. “Because you’re always right?” I replied softly, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.

Amalia shrugged before leaning into my touch. “Well, someone has to be,” she teased, her tone playful.

“So modest,” I countered, shaking my head.

“I never claimed to be.”

I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. I huffed out a laugh. “I love you,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Then I cupped the back of her head and brushed my lips to hers.

It was supposed to be a short kiss, but she gripped the front of my shirt and pulled me closer, deepening it. Her tongue slipped inside my mouth, tangling with mine and I groaned into the kiss.

I almost forgot where we had been when someone cleared their throat and Kai’s voice called out, “Please remember you have company.”

At the same time, Jamal said, “The last thing I want to see is my uncle making out with his girl.”

I pulled away and Amalia rested her head against my chest.

Then we both burst out laughing.

We’d been driving for the past two hours, a mix of anticipation and fear racing through my veins with each passing mile. On one hand, I couldn’t wait for today to be over and close a chapter that had been hanging over my head my entire life.

But on the other, what if it didn’t?

What if getting rid of my father once and for all didn’t free me of this constant gnawing I felt in my chest no matter how much I tried to tamp it down?

Not only that, but what if something went wrong? What if my father went after Amalia or Jamal?