Page 26 of Cryptic Curse (Bellamy Brothers #7)

HAWK

D amn.

I almost wish I had brought Eagle with me. I could use a third wheel about now.

I could also use a shower. I’m dirty as shit from digging.

I can’t ask Daniela to let me use her shower.

I don’t have a change of clothes here anyway. Though I could probably borrow something from Vinnie.

“Daniela,” I say.

“Yeah?”

I draw in a long breath. “As you can see, I kind of need a shower.”

Her cheeks redden.

“You think we could go into the main house? I could shower in one of the guest bathrooms and borrow some clean clothes from Vinnie.”

She blinks for a few seconds before speaking. “You…can use my shower.”

Fuck.

“I could, but I don’t think any of your clothes would fit me.” I let out a nervous chuckle.

She reddens even further.

“Yeah, of course.”

She leads me to the back of her flat to a door. She keys in a code, and the door opens into the main house. A stairway stands in front of us, and she leads me upward and then to a vacant bedrooom.

“This is the room I use when I stay in this part of the house,” she says. “You can shower here. I’ll go ahead and get some clothes from Vinnie for you to put on.”

“Thanks.”

I go into the room and close the door, locking it behind me.

I walk straight into the en suite bathroom, start the shower, and shed my dirty clothes. I don’t want to leave a mess, so I fold them and set them on the counter. Then I step under the hot shower and let it pelt me.

What a fucking day.

Someone took Diego Vega’s body—or who we thought was Diego Vega—out of the ground on our property. But Eagle’s right. Whoever did it left the drugs. So it sure as hell wasn’t my brother.

And now?

Someone is threatening the woman I?—

I stop the thought abruptly.

The woman I… What?

I don’t know.

All I know is I’m having feelings that I’m not sure I’ve ever had before.

My dick is hard and throbbing, and though I hate the idea of jacking off in the shower that Daniela probably uses, I do it anyway.

After all, I volunteered to stay here until Vinnie and Raven get home, and I can’t have a raging hard-on the entire time.

Though I probably will no matter what.

I wash the dirt and silt off my body, give my hair a thorough cleansing not once but twice, and then rinse off.

I step out of the shower, wrap a towel around my waist, and use another to dry my hair.

My dirty clothes sitting on the counter remind me.

I have nothing to put on.

I shouldn’t have locked the door. Daniela could’ve come in and dropped off some clothes.

Of course, knowing she was in the room, that only a thin shower curtain separated her from my naked wet body…

Probably best that she didn’t come in.

But now what do I do? Walk around in a towel until I find something?

Raven lives here. I really don’t want to run into my sister in a state of undress.

And shit… Belinda lives here, too. The last thing she needs to see after everything she’s been through is a grown man she hardly knows walking around nearly naked.

I walk over to the door of the room, unlock it, and crack it just a bit to peek outside.

Sweet, sweet Daniela.

She left some clothes folded neatly at the foot of the door.

I think I may have found the perfect woman.

Screw the fact that she’s only eighteen and she’s married to my sister’s fiancé.

There’s a sentence I never thought I’d say.

She left sweats and a sweatshirt, probably a good idea since Vinnie and I may not have the same waist size. Also a pair of slippers.

I put on the clothes, which fit nicely, and slide my feet into the slippers.

They’re a little snug, but they’ll be fine. Maybe I can throw my clothes in the laundry and they’ll be clean by the time I leave later tonight when Vinnie and Raven get home. Plus that’ll buy me some time with Daniela.

I walk to the next room, where the door is open.

Daniela is sitting with Belinda on her bed, playing a card game.

“Hey,” I say.

“Good, you found the clothes,” Daniela says. “Do they fit all right?”

“Yeah, they’re great.” I flash her a smile. “Thanks. Do you think I could throw my dirty ones in the laundry? That way I won’t have to wear Vinnie’s clothes home.”

“Oh yeah, I don’t see why not.” Daniela says. “I’ll take care of it for you.”

“I’m capable of doing my own laundry.”

“The staff is off duty now, so if you insist.” She smiles.

“Just show me the way, and I’ll take care of it.”

She points. “Down the hallway to your right. That’s the laundry room for this wing.”

“Got it.”

I head back into the guestroom, grab my dirty clothes, and then follow Daniela’s instructions to the laundry room. I shove the clothes in the washer, add some detergent, and start the shortest cycle I can find. Then I head back to Belinda’s room.

“What are you guys playing?” I ask.

“Just War,” Daniela says. “Belinda and I like to play it sometimes.”

“Would you like to play a game with us?” Belinda asks.

“Sure.”

“Great!” Belinda taps on her chin. “How about Monopoly?”

Monopoly.

Just hearing the word brings back memories I don’t need right now.

I haven’t played Monopoly since…

No, not going to go there. Not right now when I have Daniela and Belinda to think of.

“Since you’ve already got a deck of cards out,” I say, “how about some good old-fashioned Texas Hold’em?”

Belinda’s eyes go wide at that. “Oh my God, yes. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play poker.”

Daniela bites her lip. “I’m not sure how Vinnie would feel about it if we taught you how to play poker.”

“It’s not like we’re going to play for money,” I say.

Belinda’s face falls. “Then where’s the fun?”

“Okay,” I say. “We can play for snacks. I’m sure there’s something in the kitchen.”

Daniela relents. “I suppose that does sound kind of fun. Come on, Belinda. And you too, Hawk. We can play at the kitchen table.”

We head down the hallway toward the main part of the house and into the giant kitchen.

Belinda goes into the pantry and brings out a big tub of cheese balls. “My favorite,” she says.

“Cheese balls and ice cream,” Daniela says smiling. “This girl can’t get enough of either.”

“Because I was never allowed to have them…”

She doesn’t finish, and Daniela smiles and brings the cheese balls over to the table. “All right, now let’s play.” She hands the deck to me. “Hawk, you shuffle.”

I give the cards a shuffle and then hand them to Belinda on my left. “You cut the deck, Belinda.”

Belinda wrinkles her forehead. “And that means…what exactly?”

Daniela grins as she settles into her seat. “It just means you take the cards, split the pile somewhere in the middle, and put the bottom half on top. Like this.” She reaches over and demonstrates. “It keeps things fair.”

Belinda nods seriously, like she’s just been entrusted with a sacred duty. “Okay. Got it.” She cuts the deck and hands the stack back to me.

I give her a nod. “Perfect cut. You’re officially ready for Vegas.”

She giggles, her cheeks turning pink. “Do they play for cheese balls in Vegas?”

Daniela laughs. “Only at the really classy tables.”

We all chuckle, and I start dealing the cards, two to each player. Belinda scoops up hers like she’s guarding national secrets.

“I hope I win this hand,” she mutters.

Daniela arches a brow. “What are you going to do with all your winnings?”

Belinda doesn’t miss a beat. “Build a cheese ball empire.” She pops one in her mouth and grins like she’s already conquered the world.

I deal the flop—seven of spades, king of diamonds, ace of clubs—and glance up just in time to catch Daniela licking orange dust from her fingertips.

She’s not trying to be seductive. That’s the worst part. She’s just distracted, focused on the cards, absentminded as she swipes her thumb across her bottom lip and sucks the cheese powder off with a soft pop.

And I’m gone.

My pulse kicks up, and I look away fast, hoping Belinda doesn’t notice the heat creeping up my neck.

“You’re up, Daniela,” I say, keeping my voice even.

She lifts her eyes from the cards. “Check.”

Belinda checks too, proud of herself for remembering the move. I toss in a single chip—well, one cheese ball—and say, “One to see the turn.”

Daniela smirks. “Big spender.”

I grin. “I like to live dangerously.”

She scoffs, but it’s playful, and she looks at me a beat too long before she leans forward and reaches into the bowl again. Her fingers graze mine as she pulls one out, and yeah—I feel it. That spark. That low hum under my skin like I’ve grabbed a live wire.

Her fingers are covered again in that neon orange dust. She wipes them on a napkin this time, but not fast enough to stop the thought from sliding through my head.

I want to lick it off.

Every last bit.

Slowly.

I shift in my seat, clearing my throat like it’ll help.

It doesn’t.

Daniela raises a brow. “You good?”

“Fine,” I lie. “Just strategizing.”

“Uh huh,” she says.

I deal the turn card—queen of hearts. Inside, my thoughts are anything but strategic now.

Cheese balls. Freaking cheese balls.

Thank God Belinda is here, or I’d clear this table and fuck Daniela silly.