Ruined (Barnes Brothers #4)(67)

Denise’s mouth went white around the corners, but all she said was, “I’ll worry as I want to, thank you very much.”

“I think that’s a mother’s prerogative,” Marin said, kicking Sebastien lightly when he would have said anything else.

He caught her ankle and squeezed.

It didn’t go unnoticed by Denise, either.

Marin caught the speculation in her eyes and felt herself blushing and damn it all, that only made it worse. Sebastien noticed, too, and he gave Marin a quick look. She read everything in that look and tried to keep her cool as he smoothed his hand up from her ankle to her knee. “You know, Mom . . . there’s actually something I wanted to tell you and Dad. You think he’s got time?”

Denise’s eyes widened a fraction. “Well, I’ll just go and get him, whether he has time or not. Is this private?”

Marin snorted. “Nothing stays private in this family for long, does it?”

“Well . . . not generally.” Denise laughed as she rose, dusting off her long, rose-colored skirt. “I’ll be back.”

Abigale wandered over and nudged Marin’s knee, sitting on the other side of her. “You know, it’s a good thing the chaise is a large one,” Marin said ruefully, eying her best friend.

Abby was too busy taking in Sebastien. He hadn’t moved his hand. “So . . .” Abby propped her chin on her fist and studied Sebastien. “I saw you and Zach talking earlier. Is he going to pay up yet?”

“I’m not responsible for helping you collect on money owed, Abs.” Sebastien winked at her.

“You know, Zach was telling me—”

“So!” Denise sailed back into their orbit, her husband bringing up the rear. Ron gave her a nod and stroked his hand down his wife’s back.

“She’s all aflutter,” Ron said. “Ever since Trey and Ressa let us in on their news.”

“Another baby.” Denise’s eyes went misty but that didn’t keep her from narrowing her focus in on Sebastien. “So what is it you wanted to tell us, honey? I’m so happy to see you back at work, you know.”

“Ah, thanks, Mom.” Sebastien rubbed at the back of his neck and glanced at Marin from the corner of his eye. You or me, the look seemed to say.

She cocked a brow at him. This was his show.

Denise caught the look and she clasped her hands in front of her. “I knew it—there’s something going on between you two, isn’t there?”

“Ah . . . yeah. You can say that.” Sebastien stood up while Marin snickered.

“Are you two—” Denise stopped, closing her eyes. “No. You tell me.”

“I’m trying, Mom,” Sebastien said, looking exasperated.

By now, more than a few people had gathered around. It wasn’t just family at the house, but friends of Abigale and Zach, Keelie and Zane. That included some of the employees from the tattoo studio, Steel Ink, co-owned by Keelie and Zach. One of them was a bright, bubbly blonde and she clapped her hands, squealing. “Oh, wow! Are you two getting married? That would be so f’in’ awesome.” She bobbed her head at Denise. “Sorry, ma’am.”

Before Sebastien could respond, Zach snorted. “They ain’t getting married. Marin’s too old for him.”

Marin felt the hot rush of blood rush to her cheeks and for a few seconds, she was so embarrassed, she couldn’t say anything. The guests all found somebody or something else to look at

Sebastien’s jaw was like granite, eyes icy as he glared at his brother. Abigale didn’t look any happier as she stood, crossing her arms over her chest. “Seriously, Zach?”

He looked around, his expression growing sheepish as he realized how it might have come off.

Marin knew him well enough to know he hadn’t meant to be insulting. Zach had a bad habit of just inserting his size twelve shoes in his mouth at the drop of a hat. Still, her mood was precarious and as she stood, she dusted her clothes off and gave herself an assessing once-over before looking at him. “I hadn’t realized it was time for me to be put up on the shelf with the rest of the old maids. Think I need to start looking for different roles soon, Zach?”

“Hey . . .” He opened his mouth, then closed it with a snap. “Look, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just . . .” He shoved his hand through his hair. “Sebastien is just a kid.”

Marin laughed. “Hardly.”

“I’m twenty-six years old.” Sebastien took a step toward his older brother. “Yeah, I get that I was more spoiled than the rest of you, and I know all of you saw me as an immature, arrogant ass for the most part.”

“Sebastien.” Denise stepped up. “That’s not true.”

“Yeah, it is. I was immature and arrogant. I’m still an ass sometimes.” He shoved his hair back, baring the scar completely and turning his face so that his ruined eye stared back at Zach. “But I’m pretty sure most of my . . . immaturity was cut out of me the day I nearly lost my eye. Killing a man, realizing you didn’t—couldn’t—save the girl . . . getting cut up in the process—all of that has a pretty rough effect on you.”

Zach’s mouth was tight, but he didn’t say anything. Just about everybody who wasn’t family had retreated.