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meal. She didn t have to ask Calen who they were. Some were obviously
relatives, but others had a look that screamed gangster. Colman s
employees mixed with the others, like one big extended family.
People were everywhere, in the kitchen at a small table, at the bar, and in
the living room. They were even sitting on the stairs leading to the second
story. And no one was shy about checking her out. Every last one gave her
an obvious inspection, but Calen s hovering ensured everyone stayed polite.
After the meal, most of the employees melted away. The rest of the family
drifted into the living room and den. The men sat around and drank scotch
while Maia played with the new baby for a while before Mary Margaret had
her put to bed. Afterwards, the two women made polite small talk. Mary
Margaret asked Maia about the wedding and their honeymoon in Italy.
Maia and Calen had visited his friend Giancarlo in Rome and then had
spent a romantic few days in Venice. Calen had spoiled her rotten there.
Venice was a shopping mecca, with countless high-end stores and boutiques.
Her wardrobe had expanded exponentially, as had her collection of jewelry,
despite her protests.
She didn t mention that last to Mary Margaret in case the other woman
told Darren. She didn t want to feed the competitiveness between the two
cousins. Or between herself and Mary Margaret, for that matter. The older
woman was polite enough, but from their conversation, Maia sensed she was
a little shallow.
Throughout the evening, Maia was aware of Colman s dark eyes following
her. She tried to forget that she was being evaluated and judged, but it was
difficult. Eventually, she wandered away and sought refuge in one of the
other rooms on the first floor. She was surprised to find a little boy playing
by himself in a mostly empty room. He was between two or three years old,
and he looked a lot like Calen and Darren.
Hi there, Maia said, crouching on the ground next to the little boy.
When the boy didn t look up, she waved in his line of vision. He looked up
at her, and she was rewarded with a huge smile. He looked a lot like Calen
then. Immediately hooked, she smiled back at him and sat down.
Maia lost track of time playing with the lively toddler. He alternated
between crawling all over her and assembling his blocks with loud
exclamations. When they fell over, he industrially stacked them back up.
She made a game of it, and the time passed quickly. They were so engrossed
they didn t notice when they acquired an audience. Eventually a noise
alerted her to their presence, and she swung her gaze up to look at Calen,
his father, and cousin right before the toddler tackled her.
Mmmph, Maia grunted as she toppled over.
The baby was small, but very dense and heavy. Calen moved forward to
pull him off and help Maia off the floor. Nervous, she smoothed her dress
down and walked over to the other men.
I see you met Darren Jr., Colman said.
There was a strange tension in the air. Telling herself she was being
paranoid, Maia turned to the brooding Darren. Oh, is he yours, too? How old
is he? she asked politely.
For some reason, he looked annoyed. He s two and half, Darren muttered
eventually.
He s a beautiful boy. And so smart for his age. You must be so...proud.
Maia s voice trailed off when Darren s expression turned thunderous. She
quailed and fought the temptation to hide behind Calen.
You don t have to say that, Darren said sharply.
Maia swallowed tightly but felt the need to clarify. I only meant that he s
very advanced for his age.
Look here, Darren began, raising a finger in her face as he took a
threatening step before her.
Maia would have dived behind Calen then if he hadn t forestalled her by
placing a hand on her shoulder and drawing her back to his front.
What do you mean, sweetheart? he said, cutting Darren off.
He sounded a little confused.
Maia swallowed heavily. She reminded herself that Darren wasn t a threat
as long as Calen was there. Well, two and half is pretty young for numbers,
but he can add and subtract. I don t think they re supposed to do that till
they re three or four. I showed him a game I used to play with my neighbor
and he was catching on quickly. My neighbor s son didn t do as well when he
was a year older.
The men looked at each other, glances she couldn t read properly.
Is something wrong? she asked uncertainly.
You don t have to lie. My son is...slow, Darren bit out.
Now it was her turn to be confused. I don t understand. He s a little
behind on his communication skills, but once you get him a tutor, things
should get easier. He s not too young to start. I m guessing you don t sign
yourself?
What do you mean? What sign? Calen asked while Colman s eyes dug
into her.
Did they not know? Maia gestured around her ear. A sign language tutor.
Because he s...he s deaf.
Her announcement was met with complete silence.
No, he s not, Darren said in disbelief.
Maia was genuinely confused now. I...I think he is, she said, trying to
sound certain, but it was hard when Darren was towering over her
threateningly.
Come here, baby, Calen said, putting little Darren down. Come play
your game with him.
Maia moved away from Darren senior as quickly as she could without
seeming impolite. She sat in front of the blocks again and offered the toddler
the first two blocks and then she showed him four fingers. When the baby
added two more blocks to the pile, Maia clapped and smiled while Calen
frowned and looked over at his father.
He crouched down and snapped his fingers behind the baby s head, but
little Darren didn t turn around. Calen snapped again at the side of his head
repeatedly. Again there was no response. Not as long as Calen snapped out of
his line of vision. When Calen snapped in front of him little Darren finally
noticed and grinned up at him.
Well, I ll be god-damned. We re all a bunch of fucking idiots, Calen
pronounced as Darren senior picked up his son and looked at him closely.
Did you really not know? Maia whispered to Calen as he took her hand
and helped her up.
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