Veiled Spirits - Page 60

Brothers are the worst.

I walk over to my dad next. He’s the same height as Rhys, with brown hair just a touch darker and hazel eyes a bit greener. My dad is also a little more muscular than my oldest brother. He can be super intimidating when he wants to be. Right now, my dad is just watching me with worry in his gaze.

I walk up to him hesitantly, unsure whether he’s mad at me. “Hi, Dad.” I stare at his shiny black dress shoes that match his slacks to avoid meeting his gaze.

My dad is silent for a beat at my hesitation before pulling me into his arms. I lay my head on his gray dress shirt and soak up the comfort. “Hey, sweetie. I hope you know you can always come to me if you need help. I’ll help you, no questions asked. I’ll even handle your mom for you.”

“Sean!” my mom says in exasperation. A small giggle slips out at their dynamic.

“I know, Dad. I just didn’t want to bother you. You have so much on your plate.” My dad works around the clock at the council. He’s always trying to help the lower mages, and I don’t want to take his attention away from that.

“You’re never a bother, Izzy. I always have time for my favorite daughter.”

I snort. “I’m your only daughter.”

Dad grins down at me. He hugs me tight for a moment before stepping back. “Be that as it may, I’ll always have time for you. My job will never be more important than my family,” my dad finishes seriously.

I nod at my dad before changing the subject because I don’t do well with mushy feelings. “We should probably sit down for dinner before not-your-favorite son expires of hunger.”

“Hey! I’m totally the favorite. I’m fucking delightful, unlike you two losers,” Aiden informs me and Rhys with a huff.

“Language, Aiden Michael,” my mom chastises, like he hasn’t been swearing since he could talk.

I chuckle as I take a seat at the absurdly large table. My mom sits to my left and Levi sits to my right. The wolves, Bishop, and Rhys are on the other side, with Luca directly opposite me. Dad sits next to Mom, and Aiden sits next to Levi.

When everyone’s seated, I take in the bone china plates, expensive linen napkins, and probably real silver cutlery. Combined with the huge wood table, tufted cream high-back chairs, and the gold chandelier dripping with what I hope are crystals and not diamonds, the whole room screams money.

“This is a fancy-ass dining room you’ve got, wolf boy.” Luca’s lips twitch, but he shuts his smile down and narrows his eyes at me. I grin at him because I’ve got his number. He totally finds me funny, even if he doesn’t want to show it.

“Izzy!” my mom hisses as she nudges me with a bony elbow.

“What?”

“Be polite! You want to make a good impression.”

I can’t contain my laugh. “Oh, come on, Mom. Have you met me? I don’t make a good impression on anyone. Wolf boy over there knows exactly what to expect when it comes to me. For some unknown reason, he’s not running for the hills yet. There’s still time for him to change his mind, though.”

I try to be flippant about the possibility of any of my mates deciding I’m not worth it. But the thought feels like a dagger ripping through my heart.

“I won’t ever change my mind, wildcat,” Luca tells me seriously.

“Bold words for a wolf who has no idea what he’s getting into with me.” I still don’t think the wolves quite grasp just how dangerous being with me is. They also don’t know about all of my freaky extra abilities.

“You could drag me to the depths of hell, and I’d happily follow, Izzy. I don’t care where we are or what we’re doing, I just want to be with you.” The conviction in Luca’s tropical ocean gaze never wavers as he stares me down.

Fuck me, man. Who the hell let Luca be so damn sweet, my teeth ache? I’d like the raging asshole I first met back, please. He’s much less dangerous to my secretly sappy little heart than this version of Luca.

I look away first and stare down at the cream-and-gold napkins like they’re the most interesting thing ever.

I’m saved from any more conversation by a few wolves striding into the room with huge platters of food. There’s a gigantic ham, gravy, a variety of salads, mashed potatoes, rolls, green beans, and more. They set the mouthwatering spread on the table before leaving back the way they came.

We all serve ourselves from the communal food dishes. I’ve just shoved a delicious bite of ham, smothered in gravy, into my mouth when Bishop asks, “So, when are we breaking into the council headquarters?”

CHAPTER 31

IZZY

Ichoke on my bite of food at Bishop’s question. After hacking super attractively for a moment, I’ve cleared my airway enough to ask, “What the hell are you talking about, St. James?”