AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m your big brother. If you’re not going to save yourself, then I’ve got to do it for you.”
“Whatever,” I mutter. “I guess you’ll be seeing me tomorrow. I actually kind of miss the kid.”
“He’s mad at you so bring him presents,” he informs me before starting to walk away.
“Hey, Xan,” I call, causing him to stop. “Thanks.”
We both know I wouldn’t have been able to seek him out on my own. I’m never going to admit it, but I had been toying with the idea of coming to see him. He gave me the push I needed and he’s giving me a chance. Now all that’s left is for me to figure out how I want to use that chance.
My brother looks at me and offers a small smile. “You’re an asshole, Gray. But I don’t think you’re a screw-up. See you tomorrow.”
“There he goes, being a better man than me,” I mutter under my breath.
Despite my self-persevering instincts, I end up attending the dinner at the Mincetti mansion. Katerina glares at me the entire time, but she also doesn’t outright threaten my life so I take that as a win.
Once we’re done eating, Nate drags me away to show his new room.
I’ve got to hand it to the kid, he’s certainly resilient. He’s been through a lot of change in the past couple of months. There’s a very small list of people I love in the world, and Nate and Mikayla are at the top of that list.
I run a hand through his hair. “How are you holding up, buddy?”
He grins. “Fine. Mom and Dad took me to Paris and I got to watch Dad propose. It was nice. There were fireworks.”
I roll my eyes. “Of course there were fireworks,” I say, although I can’t help a small smile.
“Where have you been, Uncle Gray?”
I look into his green eyes and sigh. “I’ve been busy, Nate.”
“Doing what?”
“Trying to figure out if I can actually turn my life around or if it’s too late.”
The ten-year-old looks at me thoughtfully for a couple of seconds. “My mom says anyone is capable of change.”
“Your mom’s a smart woman. I’m sorry for disappearing. It won’t happen again.”
“Okay. So are you going back to D.C.? Aunt Kay said you have to come back or Grandfather will be angry with you.”
“I don’t know, Nate. Do you think I should go back?”
Nate’s an intelligent kid. I’m so glad I have him because he’s literally the only person I would ever be this open and honest with—although it is a little sad that my best friend is a ten-year-old.
“I think you should do what you want to do,” he tells me.
“Anyone ever tell you how smart you are?” I ask, ruffling his hair. “You get it from me.”
“I get it from my dad,” he retorts. “And my mom.”
“That’s mean. You’re lucky I love you, little man.”
He giggles. “I love you too, Uncle Gray.”
My heart warms. I get down on one knee to pull him into my arms. For the first time in a while, I actually feel at ease. I’m still not any closer to making a decision, but at least now I’ve gotten some of my worries off my chest.
When I leave Nate’s room a minute or two later, I bump into Katerina Mincetti leaning on the wall beside the opened door. I arch an eyebrow at her.
“What are you doing, creeper?”
