Page 12 of Cryptic Curse (Bellamy Brothers #7)

HAWK

S eems strange sitting down at our large dining room without Dad here.

His spot at the head of the table is empty.

I stand by it, my hand on the back of the chair, waiting to see where everyone else ends up before I take my place.

But before I can, my mother whisks past me. “That’s your father’s chair, Hawk.”

I resist rolling my eyes. Of course it’s my father’s chair. I wasn’t expecting to sit here.

I can’t help but wonder, though, if Falcon or Eagle would get the same attitude from her if one of them tried to sit here.

I’m just standing here as I wait for everyone else to take their seats.

We have Vinnie here plus Daniela and Belinda, and I want them to find spots where they want to sit. If one of them ends up in my normal spot, so be it. I’ll take a different one.

I want to tell my mother all of this, but I don’t. I stay silent to keep the peace. To do otherwise would ruin what is supposed to be a celebration for Raven and Vinnie.

I simply nod and say, “I know. I’m just waiting for everyone to get settled.”

Falcon finds his normal spot, and Savannah sits next to him. Eagle finds his usual place as well.

Daniela and Belinda take seats as directed by my mother.

Once everyone is seated, the only open seat—other than my father’s—is next to Eagle.

Great.

With no staff here tonight, we pass the dishes like a regular family. It’s nice actually. It helps that all the men in our family—even Eagle, who used to be a skinny little slip of a thing—have strong, toned arms to maneuver the heavy platters around the table.

“Daniela and I got a little creative in the kitchen tonight,” Mom says. “She suggested a variation of a Colombian favorite, bandeja paisa , incorporating some elements of Mexican cuisine. So we created bandeja nortena. ” She takes her seat. “ Buen provecho! ”

I take the first bite and have to close my eyes.

It’s the carne asada that hits me first—smoky, tender, with just enough spice. The beans are slow-cooked and rich, and a fried egg bleeds golden over the whole plate. I drag my fork through the yolk, scoop up a little of everything, and go back for more.

Savannah’s across from me. “Someone should call the food police,” she says through a mouthful of corn salad.

Mom beams.

I stab into the esquites next. The lime cuts through the richness, the cotija gives it a little salt, and a background note of heat builds with every bite.

“Holy hell,” I mutter, pointing at the bowl with my fork. “You’re trying to kill us.”

Mom smirks. “Better to die full and happy.”

“This shouldn’t work,” I say. “But it does. It really does. Mom, Daniela, Savannah, you all outdid yourselves tonight.”

Murmurs of agreement—from mostly full mouths—echo throughout the dining room.

“Just you wait until dessert,” Mom says. “Daniela suggested a secret ingredient for Savannah’s tres leches cake.”

I glance across the table at Daniela.

She swallows a bite of food, and her cheeks redden. “I’m glad you’re enjoying everything,” she says.

“It’s all great,” Falcon says.

“Absolutely,” Raven agrees.

Once we all finish our plates, Mom rises.

Daniela follows. “Let me help you clear the table.”

“My dear, please, sit down,” Mom says. “This meal is your triumph.”

“That’s kind of you say, but?—”

She wags a finger at her. “No buts. Sit down. I appreciate you helping in the kitchen, but you’re a guest here tonight.”

“I’ll help.” I rise.

Mom lets out a laugh. “Since when have you ever offered to help in the kitchen?”

“I do want to help,” I say, “but first, since this is a celebration of Vinnie and Raven, I thought I’d offer a toast.”

Mom returns to her seat. “That’s a great idea, Hawk. Does anyone need a refill?” She holds up a bottle of Rioja.

Once everyone has a glass of wine—a goblet of Orange Crush for Raven and Belinda—I begin.

“Raven, we’ve all seen you go through the worst thing in the world with your illness, but you kicked and fought and made it through, and then you found the love your life. Vinnie, thank you for making our sister so happy.”

We clink glasses.

“And also, to Falcon and Savannah. They’re engaged too, and I’ve never seen my big brother happier.

” I tip my goblet in my big brother’s direction.

“Falcon, you’ve been through your own kind of hell, but like Raven, you kicked and fought and made it back.

We’re happy to have you here, and like Raven, I’ve never seen you happier.

So Savannah, thank you for that. To Falcon and Savannah. ”

More glasses clink, and more agreement.

“And one more thing,” I say. “I hope I’m lucky enough to one day find a woman as special as my sister and as you, Savannah. Falcon and Vinnie, never forget how lucky you are.”

As I raise my glass once more, I glance toward Daniela.

She’s looking at me, and she shyly diverts her gaze when my eyes meet hers.

Tingles shoot through me.

She’s off limits, but a man can dream.

Mom rises again. “That was lovely, Hawk. Thank you.” Then she raises her glass. “We should also toast your father. To Austin and his continued recovery. Let’s hope his aphasia will improve soon.”

I raise my glass again at my mother’s toast.

Is it my imagination, or does she shoot me an irritated look?

Maybe I should’ve mentioned my father in my toasts.

But aren’t we here to celebrate Vinnie and Raven?

I can’t do anything right in her eyes.

Whatever. I take a sip of wine and then set my glass down.

“Now,” I say, “yes, I am actually going to help with the dishes.”

Mom laughs again, shaking her head.

“Because,” I continue, “the sooner we get this table cleared, the sooner we can taste that amazing dessert you’ve been talking about.”

Daniela rises as well, despite Mom’s plea for her to remain seated.

Nice. Maybe she and I can talk a little bit in the kitchen.

Learn a little bit about each other. Vinnie’s told me that she’s very well educated in all walks of life, and I bet she has some stories to tell about her time in Colombia.

Of course, she might not want to talk too much about Colombia, given what she may have gone through over there.

At the very least, we can talk about the dessert.

The tres leches cake does sound phenomenal.

But what I truly want for dessert—Daniela’s lips on mine, her body pressed up against me…

That’s not on the menu.