Part 2 (1/2)

Plastering a smile on my face, I take the few short strides to the door to greet George. George is like family and no matter how many times he's been told to just walk in, he refuses, but that probably has more to do with him walking in at Michael and Lily's place and getting a look at more than he bargained for.

Chuckling, I open the door. ”George, Janet...and Sylvia.” I frown looking for Sylvia's car. ”No car?”

”In the garage so Janet gave me a lift as she was coming from the city.” Sylvia gives me a flirty smile and moves forward, stopping abruptly as she gives me a strange look. ”Um, Sebastian, you planning on letting us in?” Sylvia grins with her purple stained lips. I'm still in the doorway like a brick wall. What the h.e.l.l's wrong with me today?

”Sorry.” I step back and follow them through to the living room and, yeah I notice my brother, Ramon's reaction when he spots Sylvia. What the f.u.c.k? My eyes widen in surprise. How can he look at Sylvia like that when he's with Carla?

Reaching up, I rub at my temples as I can feel a tension headache hovering, just waiting for a gap to push through and become a full-blown migraine.

It's frustrating as h.e.l.l, not knowing what's going on with Ramon and Carla and I'm seconds away from grabbing Carla by the hand and declaring she's mine.

Ramon can't keep his eyes off Sylvia, who does actually look different. Her blonde hair is swept up from her face with some loose bits around her face, but it's more her clothes. Apart from Lily and Michael's wedding when she'd worn the s.e.xy bridesmaid dress, which she'd nearly fallen out of, her clothes aren't usually revealing. Well that isn't the case today. Today she has on a fitted dress, which shows all her curves, the front dipping low between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

”Sebastian, please stop ogling the guests,” mom comments slipping her arm around my waist.

”I'm nota” I pause mid-denial when my mom raises an eyebrow. ”Okay, so I was. She looks different.”

”More desirable?”

I decide it might be best to keep my mouth shut now that my mom's in matchmaking mode. The only woman I want to be matched up to is Carla and she's suppose to be with Ramon, who, after a quick glance in his direction, is still pa.s.sing sly glances at Sylvia.

Unable to help myself, I glance towards Carla, who's already watching me with my mom. She meets my heated look before turning back to Janet who seems to be in deep conversation with her.

”Perhaps you need to keep ogling Sylvia,” Mom comments dryly, making note of the direction of my gaze.

”I hear you, but I'm not having this conversation with you.” Pulling my mom into my side, I kiss her on the top of her head before letting her go and greet the new arrivals.

I wander over to Lucien who is standing to the side pa.s.sing sly glances at Lily's friend, Sabrina. What the f.u.c.k is up with my brothers today? ”Not you as well,” I grumble coming to a stop beside Lucien with Ruben coming up and shoving beers in our hands.

”Not me what?” Lucien asks, taking a long pull on his beer.

”Sabrina, brother,” I say with glee, nodding in her direction as Lucien's eyes darken.

”She's hot...and have you seen the size of hera” Ruben trails off seeing the look on Lucien's face.

”Do not finish that sentence,” Lucien growls. I stiffen and search his gaze. Lucien doesn't usually get so defensive with Ruben's teasing.

I know Ruben's only teasing Lucien, but it actually looks like our brother is interested in Lily's friend. Oh this should be good!

Turning to Ruben, I wink and say, ”You know since she's new in town, I think you should offer to show her around.”

Mirth flashes in Ruben's eyes as he struggles around the laughter to get an answer out when Lucien looks between the two of us. ”f.u.c.k you.” With that, he follows Sabrina out of the room to Ruben laughing and me whistling 'love is in the air.'

”That was fun,” Ruben chuckles, but stops when he catches sight of Carla walking pa.s.sed. ”Carla baby. Come and keep two bachelors company,” he says wrapping his arm around her.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say she looks uncomfortable, which Ruben seems to pick up on as he releases her.

”Carla, you and Ramon have been dating for a while now, any sign of, well, you know?” Ruben asks and looks toward me for help, but I stay silent wanting to plant my fist in my brother's mouth.

Carla looks up into my face and clears her throat before she looks back to Ruben. ”Ah, no. Sorry, nothing like that.”

Thank G.o.d!

Carla's eyes dance from side to side as she looks everywhere but me. Anger slices through me and I fight the urge to grab her and shake her until she looks in my direction. Yes we're attracted to one another, but there's no need to ignore me. f.u.c.k, who am I kidding, I've been ignoring her practically since we met at the wedding.

”d.a.m.n, I wouldn't mind having you for a sister-in-law...besides if he isn't interested there's two more handsome McKenzie men right here.” Ruben wraps his arm around my shoulders with a large flirtatious grin spreading across his face.

My brother and his mouth sometimes don't know when to stop. Wanting to shut him up for putting Carla on the spot, I push him away. ”What about Rosie?”

”What the h.e.l.l are you talking about,” he scowls.

I quickly glance at Carla and notice a frown cross her features before I turn back to Ruben and watch as his face darkens with emotion before he turns and walks away, which has me watching his retreating back with a frown on my face. I had no idea that saying Rosie's name would cause such a reaction.

”Excuse him Carla,” I say as our eyes finally meet. ”I'm not sure what's going on with him.”

Carla smiles, which brightens her whole face. ”Don't worry about it.” She turns and watches Lily. ”Don't they look good together?”

”Who? Lucien and Sabrina?” I tease, having watched my brother walk back into the room with Sabrina not looking too happy.

Chapter 5.

Carla.

Attending these family gatherings with Ramon always sends a sharp pain to my chest. A large part of me wants my brother to be here, with me. I guess in a way it makes me feel homesick for my own family. Ramon's parents and siblings always make me feel welcome and treat me like one of them, but I find it hard to accept, while I still have no idea where Noah is or even if he's all right and not lying somewhere injured or worse.

As Ramon settles beside me on the black leather sofa, I offer him a sad smile. He knows me and knows I'm thinking about my brother as he's caught me once or twice in the past. Ramon leans into me and brushes my hair back behind my ears in a friendly gesture, but my heart sinks when I catch the look on Sebastian's face. He's sitting on the sofa to the left of Ramon and me and his features visibly harden while he watches me with his brother.

”Carla, he'll be okay.” Ramon wipes a runaway tear from my cheek.

”How do you know that?” I ask under my breath so no one catches our conversation. ”You don't know where he is...neither do I. He's out there alone,” my voice catches, ”he might need help.”

Ramon takes my hands and brings them up to his lips where he kisses my knuckles. ”He can take care of himself, you know that. He'll be in touch with us when he can.”

I interrupt, but Ramon covers my mouth with his hand.

”Let me finish. I don't like the fact that he just disappeared and, yes, it bothers me. The private investigator I hired is still digging and trying to find him.” He pulls me into a hug and kisses me on the forehead before sitting back on the sofa with me in his arms. ”He'll be fine, Carla,” he murmurs and I sigh into his comfort.

When I meet Sebastian's eyes, I can see they're full of questions...and maybe jealousy. This is the most intimate Ramon and I have been in front of his family, so I'm surprised that no one else notices our exchange, but they haven't apart from Sylvia who appears...upset I guess. I've noticed her eyes are always on Ramon when he's around and I'm pretty sure Ramon's aware of the fact. What a d.a.m.n mess.

I try and move slightly away from him, needing some breathing s.p.a.ce as Sabrina, Janet and Sylvia take seats around the room with Pippa sitting beside Lily. Ruben and Lucien are propping up one wall while Elias stands in front of them in conversation, and Sebastian is still sitting on the sofa with George while throwing fire with his eyes in my direction. He looks p.i.s.sed as well.

We did have an intimate moment together in the pantry, which I would have been happy to continue if it wasn't for Ramon and my promise to him.