One Small Problem: The Seven Brothers Series Book 1 by Shelly Monarch

Author:Shelly Monarch [Monarch, Shelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-02-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Winter

X avier Prince spoils me rotten. Tonight, we’re at Daniel’s Broiler on Lake Union. The way he lavishes me with affection and goods is adorable but intimidating. This place looks expensive. It’s like entering a house decorated in white and being terrified to sit.

The decor is rich and heavy. The chandeliers are giant metal fountains of light and views of the lake are available at every table. One look at the menu tells me I’m firmly back in the world of the upper crust.

Xavier squeezes my hand, reassuring me. He knows my past, knows that I once lived this life before finding my adopted brothers to live a life so much more fulfilling. I don’t need these kinds of dates, even if he can afford them. I indulge him, because I know why he’s doing it. He loves me, and only wants the best for me.

We’ve come a long way in the last several months. We’ve hurt each other and built one another back up so that our foundation is solid.

“Best Friend” by Saweetie rings out from my purse and embarrassment floods my cheeks. Not the place for that song. I quickly grab the phone to silence it.

“Hey Johanna, can I call you back?” I whisper into the phone, shooting an apologetic look at Xavier.

“Winter?” a small voice squeaks over the line.

My brow scrunches. “Adel?” I ask.

“Winter, I scared,” she says as her voice trembles. I can hear the fear there.

“Baby, where are you? Xavier and I are on our way right now.” When I look at my boyfriend, he’s already pulling cash from his wallet and placing it on the table. He takes my hand to pull me from my chair, as my heart rate skyrockets.

“Momma is hurt, Winter.”

“Adelais, listen to me. Where are you?” I ask, forcing my voice to stay steady. I don’t want to scare her more with my own fear.

“Home.”

“Okay sweet girl. We are coming. Can you stay right there for me?” I ask her. I need to keep her talking.

“Yes.”

Xavier ushers me into the passenger’s seat of his Mustang, closing the door, and jogging around the car to get us moving as quickly as possible. “Do you know what happened to your momma?” I ask, terrified of the answer.

“Nuh-uh. Momma is hurt.”

I can feel my limbs shaking as the car hurdles down the road. Xavier is going as fast as he safely can. “Okay baby. Xavier is going to call for help while I stay on the phone with you, okay? You might hear him talking in the background.”

“Mmm,” she hums.

Xavier dials 911 from the driver’s seat, and I half listen to him while thinking about what my best friend is going through. That poor little girl is so strong. I can’t believe she is seeing her mother in trouble and was still able to pick up a phone to call me.

“Adel, why don’t you tell me what you did today. I want to hear about your day. You went to the zoo, right?”

“Mhm… there were so many animals,” she says, still quavering.

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