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“Hungry?” Artemis teased as I grabbed a plate and began filling it.
“Molly needs food,” I replied.
The three women froze and stared.
“She your one?” Ali-kat was the first to ask.
“Yup. Mine,” I said, frowning at the buffet. Molly had learned long ago to eat what was put in front of her. But I wanted her to enjoy her food.
“Carmine Michaelson, look at me right now,” Artemis demanded, and I stopped and looked.
If Artemis gave an order, we kids obeyed.
“Are you claiming Molly?” Artemis asked.
“Yup,” I said, shoving a mini sausage into my mouth.
“Does your mom know?” Casey inquired.
“Think so. Mom has seen me watching her.”
“Carmine!” Artemis hissed.
“What?” I complained.
“You just told us you like Molly before you even formally told your mother. What do you think Phoe will do to you?” Artemis pointed out.
I blanched. “Shit. Mom’s gonna kill me.”
“Yes, she is.” Ali-kat nodded. “However, we three can forget you said anything, but you better get Molly to Reading Hall tonight!”
“Roger,” I replied, dumping slaw on Molly’s plate. Nobody could resist Penny’s slaw.
“Drake is going to be beside himself,” Artemis exclaimed as I hurried away. I could still hear them, though.
“The first of his kids to fall? Shit, yeah. Drake’s going to have to let them go, and that’s going to be hell on him,” Ali-kat replied.
“Do you think he’ll be as protective of the boys as the girls?” Casey asked.
“Are you joking? Drake ain’t gonna like letting any of his children go. He struggled with Micah heading to Hellfire, but Carmine settling down? That’s going to mess with Drake’s head. It doesn’t matter how old they are; Drake still acts like it’s his role to protect them. Drake is nowhere near ready to admit his babies have become adults,” Artemis said with a chuckle.
I found I couldn’t disagree.
Molly.
Carmine was at my elbow at six on the dot. He had told me when he’d brought me lunch that we were going out to dinneragain. I’d got all excited inside but kept a cool front. I didn’t want to misread his signals.
“Ready?” Carmine asked.
“Yes. Should I go home and change?” I questioned, looking down at my functional work outfit.
“You’re fine. Where we’re going is casual.”
“Okay.” I smiled as Carmine took my hand, and we weaved our way to the doors, saying goodnight to everyone.
As we got outside, we headed for my jeep, and Carmine put his hand out. With a laugh, I handed him my keys, and he walked me around to the passenger side. Just as he unlocked the car, an unwelcome voice made me stiffen.
“Molly!” Mother said from behind Carmine. Tensing, he glanced down at me.
