SWNOVELS Chapter 111
Chapter 111
Brooklyn
Colsen laughs lightly and shakes his head, coming forward to place a hand on my back.
"I'm sorry," he says, and I look up to see real apology on his face. "I shouldn't have said that-you look beautiful."
I'm still blushing, though. I never should have worn this dress.
"Come on," Colsen says, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and nodding his head towards the restaurant. "Let's go get something to eat."
I stop in my tracks, though, realizing, suddenly, that I don't want to go in there.
I don't want to go to another mafia hotspot, where Colsen was able to get a last-minute reservation because he has connections.
Aden sent me on this date, but I get to decide what happens from here on out. In the end, I'm in control. Colsen looks down at me, waiting, but I flash him a big smile.
"Actually," I say, eager. "Do you want to go somewhere else?"
He cocks his head, curious. "I thought you wanted to come here."
"Did Aden tell you that?" I ask.
"I told him to send the car to a restaurant I picked, and he said he was sending you here. Because it's your favorite."
A slow, dangerous little smile starts to form on Colsen's face.
"Yeah well," I say, wrinkling my nose at him. "Aden doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does." Colsen nods, his smile growing, and raises a hand to signal the valet to bring his car back.
***
Thirty minutes later, Colsen and I are sitting on top of a picnic table in my old neighborhood, our feet resting on the bench and an enormous spread of tacos set out between us.
I directed Colsen to drive here, knowing that my favorite food truck sets itself up on the edge of this little park on Tuesday nights.
It's dark out, but the owners have strung up cheerful lights and are playing traditional music.
We have the place mostly to ourselves, and it's kind of perfect.
"This is amazing," Colsen murmurs, taking another bite of a carne asada taco. "How did I not know that this place was here?"
I give him a little wink.
"Neighborhood secret," I say, lifting my beer to my mouth and taking a sip. "We don't usually let outsiders in but,” I give him a surveying glance from head to foot, "for you, we'll make an exception."
Colsen smirks at me. "Gracious of you," he says, and then takes another bite, finishing his taco and reaching for another.
I smile, pleased that he approves,
and nestle a little further into the et
warmth of Colsen's suit jacket,
which he spread over my shoulders when we got here.
I watch Colsen as he eats, observing the tattoos on his forearms that are revealed by his rolled-up shirtsleeves.
"What's this one for?" I ask, pointing to an image of the Virgin Mary on the outside of his left arm. Colsen looks to where I'm pointing and then takes a moment to swallow before answering.
"My dad," he says, looking seriously into my face. "He died about five years ago."
"I'm sorry," I say.
I'd heard Colsen was mostly a lone wolf, and I realize now that I'd never imagined he had a family or pack at all, which is ridiculous.
He did have a family, at one time. Everyone does.
"It's all right," Colsen replies, shrugging it off. "We all have our trauma. He was a good guy."
I study him, this guy that is so notorious, so violent, but treats me so gently, makes me laugh.
He gives me a little smirk as he looks me in the eye. "He'd have liked you, for sure. He loved redheads."
"Yes, well, we're quite irresistible," I murmur, flipping my hair back over my shoulder and pretending a haughtiness I don't really feel.
I'm rewarded with a laugh, and I grin back at Colsen.
“Irresistible for sure,” he says, always
the flirt as he looks down at the
table and reaches for another taco. "But also, apparently, a woman who's not quite sure who she wants."
My breath hitches.
He knows.
He knows about me, Aden, and our little arrangement to bring him down.
I'm dead.