Mia

Red and I arrive at the place he calls home after crashing a night in a charming boutique hotel uptown. I've been to Austen before but it was only business. I do agree, however, that it has plenty of pleasure and I wish I had the chance to explore more of the famous live music, food, and historical enchantments bestowed upon its wide expense.

Maybe, with all the luck in the world, now is my chance.

My tummy is in thousand knots when I think of what lies ahead. Only God knows how this meet-the-family agenda makes me feel at the moment. I'm nervous as hell even though showing it to Red is the last thing I do. I smile whenever he looks at me, but not when he announces that we are here.

"You're kidding, right?" I ask.

He grins boyishly at me. "Do I look like I am? Welcome to Austen, officially—and the long journey is over," he states, holding a cub door open for me to step into his family home where a uniquely magnificent estate surrounds us.

A huge mansion boasts its unobtrusive beauty on the hilltop of massive acres where a panoramic view of a lake and bewitching sunset steals my undivided attention. Elegant and professionally designed landscapes accent the whole estate, but I get easily baffled by the stone staircases, bridge, and fish pond blended naturally into the hillside between the main house and the pavilion.

Why didn't he say he's a prince? Because this looks like a goddamn castle!

"Guests?" I hear a woman's voice interrupting my reverie.

"Not really," Red replies with a huge award-winning smile. The woman–older, African-American, kinky-haired, and a bit plump—takes the stairs slowly, her eyes filled with wonder. "Hi, Dona."

"R-Rayden?" Shock manipulates her old yet gorgeous facial features and whatever comes next leaves me standing aside with a warm smile.

I've never seen Red this happy to see someone other than me. No pun intended. It's a breath of fresh air even though I love the idea that his smile belongs to me mostly.

\He lifts the old lady when they hug until she slaps him to put her down.

"Ho-how is this possible, you klutz? Where have you been? How—" So many questions pop out of her lips but she ends up saying so little upon seeing me. "And beautiful one? Who is she?" She looks at me amiably, although so full of wonder that I swallow thickly from nerves.

"Well..." Red begins but stops midway.

A car engine purrs loudly, pulling our attention to it. A fancy pickup truck pulls over next to our departing cab, and a young man with a stout body remotely resembling Red takes off and the mood suddenly shifts. He takes his time looking at us—mainly at Red—before his lips quirk up into a smirk.

"You gotta be kidding me," he snaps in a disturbing tone of voice, patting his long raven hair back as the clean wind blows from the lake and ruffles its waves.

"Glad to meet you too, Apollo," Red replies, and from the sound of his baritone voice, I can see mutual asperity flying between the two of them.

Can any of this go worse?

Inside the house screams luxury from the furniture to the architectural layout of very high ceilings. I'm not a stranger to the world of the riches but I'm equally astounded by the fact that Red belongs in this league. It's difficult to ascertain my feelings toward this finding, but I don't think I'm all too happy about it.

Maybe deep down I consider it some kind of foul play and I hate it. I mean, why did he act like a commoner all this time? Someone who grew up in a place like this worked for me as a bodyguard or the federal's secret agent—why? Even now as he walks with me toward the grand living room, holding my hand so tightly, he still looks like he doesn't belong here.

Boisterous giggles and yelling tear the deafening silence. A little boy and girl bump into me and Red; our hands break and automatically I hold them both so they don't fall.

"Oh, wow, okay," I chuckle, and swiftly they edge back to look up at me.

"Oh, God. I told you to stay put, kids," the old lady scolds them. "I'm sorry," she tells me with a soft smile while apprehending the toddlers.

The girl greets Red and me with a jolly Hello, her big curious eyes shiting between us. She's a pretty brunette, wearing a pink sundress and white stockings, probably five or six years old. The boy, whose face is almost identical to the field, just catches his breath without saying a word but he is also curious about us.

"Not often we get visitors here," the old lady, Dona if I heard right, tells us when we move. And to Red, he says, "Your grandpa's kids," while smiling knowingly.

Red's lips twitch slightly. He looks fleetingly surprised but it doesn't last as he replies, "Wife number three?"

"Damn right. He ain't gettin' old that fella," Dona enthuses, her Texas accent so thick and engaging. Red shakes his head to the side, smoking. "But he'll be blown to see ya right now. Everyone will." She sounds fond of Red.

And so is he.

What I learn within a few minutes of my stay in Hunter's exorbitant family estate is that Apollo, the guy we met outside, is Red's first cousin. Their dads are brothers. Also, Red's grandfather has had three wives so far: Red's grandma who's already kicked the bucket, Apollo's grandma who's probably divorced, and then Barbara.

What a man!

"Oh, you must be the famous Rayden!" It's Barbara, a curvacious blonde milf with breasts so full they may bust through the V-neckline of her white minidress.

Hell yeah, she's a young hot mama! Latina I guess, thanks to her name and accent. She's wearing tall hills and a fair amount of jewels holding shiny stones.

"Yes," Red answers awkwardly and gets swamper into a hug.

"I heard a lot about you!" Barbara claims, her lips so pink and plump.

Venezuelan, I bet. She can't hide that accent bleeding so heavily through her English, and for some reason, she makes me feel at home. I miss all the Diaz.

"Your girlfriend?" she asks about me. Red nods affirmatively. "Ow, welcome, sweetie!" She bends over and blows me two air kisses like an obnoxious French woman in a ball, one on each side of my cheeks.

I mentally laugh.

"Thanks. Gorgeous dress," I return, appreciating her classy little thing with drape details.

I can tell what a good relationship this lady had with money. Voila!

"Oh, my." Her contoured cheeks flush. "Thanks. You have a taste," she replies, and at last, someone clears his throat from behind her. She turns around briskly and says, "Oh, you're here, darling!"

And I guess this is the grandfather.

Silence grows in the air and Red's eyes stay fixated on him, transfixed, and I can tell why.

His grandfather is a pinnacle of intimidation. Dressed in a southern attire of jeans, boots, a hat, and a fine leather jacket with a scarf wrapped around his neck, he looks like a dom straight from a cowboy movie.

Ken Rogers comes to mind the moment I look at him and his well-trimmed white beard, his hair fluffy and greyish when he takes off his hat. I hold my breath and wait, reminding myself of many nerve-wracking meetings I've had in my life as a businesswoman.

Except... this is entirely different.

"Kept your promise," the old man speaks curtly in a baritone, his wrinkled face barely projecting emotions.

But there's relief hidden somewhere. I feel it from the way he looks at Red with his jaw flexing as if he's breathing heavily from nerves and excitement.

I wonder when was the last time he saw Red.

"It appears so," Red replies in a bodyguard way.

What a charming family reunion.

Nodding, the grandfather walks over and lands me his attention. "And she's finally here," he utters with a smile.

A fucking smile!

"Yeah." Red glances at me.

My heart is doing a flip-dance. How am I supposed to react to any of this? I'm not a teenager but u feel like I am and this is my very first relationship where I get to date and seek my boyfriend's family's approval whether subconsciously or not.

Again, I'm freaking out.

"Welcome, my dear," the old man tells me, and before I get to respond, he's hugging me.

Okay, easy, Mia Vera!

I smile and reciprocate his gesture. At the entrance, I see Apollo standing with his head hung low toward the wall, his firm arms crossed on his chest, and one foot propped over the other. He looks anything but happy, and it eventually dawns on me that he may not like Red's return at all.

"Thank you, Mr. Hunter," I reply as we pull away.

"William. You can call me William," he kindly instructs.

I nod. "William."

"Well!" Barbara claps her elegantly manicured hands with sheer excitement. "How about a fancy dinner tonight in honor of your favorite grandson's return, darling?" She looks at William, but in my peripheral, I see Apollo's brown eyes blazing contemptuously.

He creeps me out but I get his reaction to some degree. He sees Red as a threat, maybe? And why would Barbara be so gullible about this, though? Is she just a dumb blonde from a typical American YA movie or just being shady for no reason?

Drama, drama, drama.

"Why not?" William replies proudly. "Dona, sweetheart, please be your amazing self and make this evening unforgettable, will you?"

"Of course," the old lady answers with grace. "Will be my pleasure." Looking at Red, fondness swims in her eyes.

"Apollo," William goes on. Apollo lifts his eyes only in response. "Give my regards to Artemis. She either comes home tonight or I'm gonna have Mcaury freeze her bank accounts. For good! Playtime is over!"

"Sure." Apollo moves by to grab a flask of whisky on the console next to me. "As if she ever listens to anyone."

Okay, so there's Artemis, Apollo, and Rayden. Charming! All Godly names.

"And tell dear Chayenne to pass this one because it's family only," Barbara adds with a sarcastic smile.

Apollo rolls his eyes.

Why didn't Red warn about any of this?

___

William asked if I'm okay—if the baby is okay—and it was clear as water that he knows more about me than he let on. Although it hasn't been long since we arrived here, he's already booked me a hospital appointment with their family doctor for that matter. A bit of pressure on me, but Red made it known that he'd be the one to take me for that check-up and no one else.

Dona, who's apparently the housekeeper but a very important member of the family from the way everyone respects her, William Hunter included, invites me for a snack in the kitchen. Relief washes over me for two reasons: first, I'm famished, and second, I don't know how to act around these people yet who presence is impregnated by unresolved tension.

"Anything you crave?" The warm voice of Dora draws my attention once we're in the largest kitchen I've ever been into. "I want you to feel at home, Mia. I'm here if you need anything. Absolutely anything," she adds in a serious tone of voice.

"Well, thanks," I reply with all sincerity.

"Mention not, dear." Her smile widens. So?"

"A pie," I blurt out because I could smell it from the living room.

Is it left over from their dinner last night? I don't. Know. I don't care.

"A pie?" Dona laughs heartily. I nod desperately. "Okay. I was microwavin' it for the twins; they lose their damn mind about the chicken pie."

Oh, just the thought makes me salivate and the crusty smell flying in the air doesn't help at all. Even though I haven't figured out about my survival here, my stomach doesn't give a shit about anything else but food right now.

How lovely.

"You sure you're okay?" He knows I'm not at my best.

I turn around gently and say, "I'm just worried about dinner."

He frowns. "Why?"

"I have nothing to wear and I hate being shabby, no pun intended," I confess.

His face breaks into a smile. He slowly wraps his arms back around me and draws me closer toward him until my breasts are pressed hard on his chest.

"A woman of high class, how did I forget that?" he teases while brushing his lips against mine.

"Well...I'm Mia Vera Diaz and I don't do basic. How do I survive this evening, tell me? I need to speak to Kenna so they can send my stuff as early as possible tomorrow."

And no kidding, I'm still me. I always dress to kill, dinner or not, and that can't change overnight even though the past few days have been exceptionally bad. Having no money sucks. I can't even buy myself a damn dress and heels?

"Then allow me to take care of you," Red says, busting my bubble with a wet kiss so tender. My lips part but I say no word. He smiles, drawing one hand toward my face. "I wanna take care of you, Mia. Always. Let's go out and get you a dress." He tucks the stubborn strands of my hair behind my ear as he whispers this.

Mesmerized by his sinful voice, I find myself nodding in agreement. Maybe because it's Red. For the first time, I feel butterflies in my tummy knowing the man I love will buy me a dress because I need it and not because he wants to impress me as my experience suggests.