Page 72 of Unwritten Rules

“Nate…” Her head tucks against my chest as my arms hang stupidly at my sides. “When you need me. I’ll be right here.”

Disengaging from my non-embrace, Liv gives me a half smile before backing out of the kitchen to leave me to my thoughts.

Placing my now empty glass in the sink, I pivot to leave the kitchen and return to the celebrations when Mila and Bella arrive hand-in-hand, giggling crazily.

“Uncie Nate, there you is.”

“Hey, ladies. I was just on my way outside. What do you need?”

“A snuggle, Uncie Nate.”

My eyes find and hold Mila’s golden orbs. She has no idea, but my heart wrenches inside my chest.

The horror this little girl must have witnessed flashes through my mind, my face crumpling in dismay at the idea that her innocence has been well and truly corrupted, and how helpless my best friend is undoubtedly feeling right about now.

I crouch down to her size as much as I can, placing my hands on either side of her itty bitty waist.

“Oh, little Bug…” I can’t help playing on Cade’s nickname for his whole world. “I’d love a snuggle from my best girl.”

Enveloping her into my arms, and despite the conversation I’ve just had with Liv, my eyes are helplessly drawn to the Hellcat watching on in unabashed wonder – and utterly indiscreet longing. Fuck my life.

Care for her. Protect her. Love her.

Liv’s words resonate through my brain as I hold her feline eyes, wanting nothing more than to reach up and grasp her chin between my thumb and forefinger to press her lips to mine.

To claim her, as my body and heart demand. But I won’t. I can’t.

My wandering thoughts are pulled back to the present by the little Bug in my embrace when her small lips touch my ear as she whispers, “I love you, Uncie Nate.”

My hold around her little body tightens slightly, and I allow my eyes to fall closed, shutting Mila out for a moment as I frantically hope Bella retains this sweet innocence for as long as possible.

As I take her kind gift, a single thought dashes across my mind.

I need to see V, and pronto!

CHAPTER 22

MILA

Shortly after his embrace with the indomitable diva, Bella, in the foyer of my brother’s home, Nathaniel pleads a headache. Once he’s confirmed with Henry that I’ll be staying – without running it by me, pissing me the hell off – he lit out of there with an excuse of a smile followed by a terse nod.

And here I thought we’d made inroads as friends. Whip-fucking-lash!

Nola and Jo mention hitting up Geronimo’s and keeping the celebration going when Caden begs out, a sleepy Bella on his shoulder.

As he leaves with her, Bella motions me across the space to hug me enthusiastically before whispering in my ear so softly that I can barely make out the words.

“Uncie Nate likes you.”

My gut tightens as my stomach churns nauseatingly.

Ah, sweet Bella, to be so innocent.

I kiss her brow, and she lays her cheek against her dad’s shoulder. Her mass of curls surrounds her as he leans over to hug me quickly, holding my cheek in his calloused hand for a short beat when he takes me in with wise eyes that I’m not used to seeing in this joker man.

“Whatever is going on, Hellcat, your secret is safe. For now!”

My eyes blow wide when Cade turns to embrace my sister-in-law and both of my brothers before striding from the house with his usual casual swagger. He’s the epitome of nonchalance at its finest.