Page 101 of Secret Seduction

“Uncle Lorenzo, look what I got!” Damien—Peyton and Dominick’s six-year-old son—says when we walk through the door for brunch.

Selfishly, I didn’t want to go, wanting to stay in our bubble until the last possible second. But Dani would’ve killed me if I hadn’t shown up on Christmas, and Vanessa was looking forward to spending time with Nicole since they’re the only family each other has left.

The DA feels they have enough evidence to convict Ilene with murder one, and since she doesn’t have any money, she’s stuck in jail until the trial.

“Whatcha got, buddy?” I ask Damien.

“Come and see!”

We follow him into the backyard, and he hops onto a brand-new four-wheeler, puts on his helmet and chest guard, and then takes off around the huge yard.

When Dominick and Peyton moved out of Dominick’s family home, they wanted to create a compound for their family that would ensure their safety, and that meant moving onto several acres.

“Damien, slow down!” Peyton yells.

“Peaches, he’s fine,” Dominick says with a chuckle. “When Matteo was his age, he was doing doughnuts around⁠—”

Just as he speaks the words, Damien yanks his handlebar to the side and proceeds to do doughnuts.

“You sure this kid ain’t mine?” Matteo jokes. “He’s too much of a badass to be Dominick’s.”

Peyton snorts out a laugh at the same time Dominick glares at Matteo.

“We’ll see if you’re singing the same tune when Alba is his age and wants to speed around on a four-wheeler,” Dani warns.

Matteo’s grin drops. “Don’t talk shit about my princess.” He lifts his daughter and gives her kisses. “She’ll be in the kitchen, baking with her mom.”

“Sexist much?” Bri chides. “If the girls want to ride four-wheelers, they damn sure can.”

“Chill, Bri.” Matteo rolls his eyes. “If Alba wants a four-wheeler, I’ll buy her a pink one, and she can tear Dominick’s yard apart.”

“Brunch is ready,” Larisa—Dominick, Matteo, and Bri’s mom—calls out. “Oh, Lorenzo, you’re here!” She steps out and gives me a hug. “Merry Christmas.”

We head inside and grab a plate and food. I’m not sure where they had the food catered from, but it smells delicious. I make Leo a small plate with foods he can eat while Vanessa sets up his portable chair between us at the large table that has enough seats for everyone to eat together.

“Are you packed and ready to go?” Nicole asks Vanessa while we eat.

“Yep,” she says, plastering a smile on her face. “Kora, the designer I work for, has scheduled a photo shoot for next week in LA, so I’ll only be back in Seattle for a short time before we head there, and I’ll return a few days before classes start.”

“Oh, LA is fun,” Bri says. “Have you ever been?”

“No, but I imagine I’ll be working the entire time,” Vanessa tells her between bites.

“I’ll send you a list of things to do, just in case you have time.” Bri smiles warmly at Vanessa.

“And your dorm is ready for you?” Nicole questions.

“Yep.” Another forced smile. “It’s an apartment-style dorm, so my room wasn’t touched while I was gone, and my roommate, Destiny, said if my stuff arrives before I get there, she’ll let them in.”

“What time does your flight leave?” Nicole asks.

“I have to be at the airport at four in the morning,” Vanessa says, giving Leo a bite of her fruit.

“I can take you if you want, so Lorenzo doesn’t have to wake up Leo.”

“I can take her,” I say, my tone coming out gruffer than I thought. “Leo won’t mind.”

“Are you sure?” Vanessa asks softly. “You know how cranky he gets when he doesn’t get his full night’s sleep.”