Chapter 2 Constantine POV "Welcome Home"

She lied to me.

What the hell was that?

The thought followed me all the way to the kitchen.

My mother was plating dinner. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the room. Green beans, roasted potatoes, homemade rolls—every one of my favorites.

I'd missed this.

Every holiday spent at home had revolved around Mom's cooking, family dinners, and fucking around with my friends until stupid hours of the night.

Being back felt surreal.

I already didn't know what to do with myself.

For now, I was staying with Mom and the girls. Honestly, I was surprised Katia and Catori were still living here. Katia had been threatening to move out for years.

"Welcome home."

A hand landed on my shoulder.

Ivan Pavlov.

My father.

Looking at him was like looking into my own future. Same blond hair. Same black eyes. Same build.

The resemblance was unsettling.

The man carried a gun like it was an extension of his body. Scariest financial advisor ever was how my friends described him.

I saw something different.

I saw a man who couldn't keep his dick in his pants while he was married to my mother.

My entire life, I'd worked hard not to become him.

Not to become any of the Pavlov men.

I had nine uncles. Most of them were in open marriages, complicated relationships, or situations nobody could properly explain.

My grandfather, God rest his soul, had ten sons with ten different women.

Family vacations had always been entertaining.

That, and the fact that my grandfather had been a mafia don.

My family was complicated.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Constantine. It's good to have you back."

Mason stepped forward.

Catori's father.

Mom's friend. Former boyfriend. Occasional something-more depending on the year.

I never asked questions.

Everyone deserved their secrets.

I hugged him.

Massive fucker.

I still couldn't believe I was almost as big as he was.

Mason had been a heavyweight champion before retirement. I spent countless afternoons training at T-Time Gym with him after school.

"What are you going to do now?" Dad asked.

Before I could answer, Mom cut him off.

"Whatever he wants. Can we not interrogate him five minutes after he walked through the door?"

Dad smiled.

His arm wrapped around her waist.

He kissed her cheek.

Mom rolled her eyes.

Some things never changed.

Dad grabbed a stack of plates and recruited Mason to help. Mom handed me a basket of bread.

I carried it into the dining room.

Katia dropped into her usual chair and immediately waited to be served like royalty.

Some things definitely never changed.

Then Catori walked in.

My lungs forgot how to work.

Fuck.

I wished I'd knocked.

The image of her standing in that bedroom flashed through my mind again. Bare back. Tiny shorts.

I physically swallowed.

Fucking disgusting.

Don't think about your sister that way.

My body ignored me.

I looked away.

She was collecting cloth napkins from the sideboard, placing one at each setting.

"One more," Mom called. "Jason should be here any minute."

Of course she invited him.

Jason Hall.

Best friend.

Partner in crime.

Occasional partner in other things my family definitely didn't need to know about.

"Speak of the devil," Mason said.

Jason walked through the front door.

"Do you people ever lock this thing?" he asked with a laugh.

Mom shook her head.

We occupied the top penthouse. Nobody else lived on this floor.

Jason circled the table toward me.

Before he sat down, his lips started moving.

Silent conversation.

We'd been doing it since we were kids.

His hands motioned toward his chest.

I immediately knew what he was asking.

When did Catori's chest get that big?

Motherfucker.

Don't look at my sister like that.

Jason laughed as he sat down.

Unfortunately, my eyes betrayed me.

They drifted exactly where his had.

No bra.

Even through the black tank top, I could see the outline of her nipples.

Jesus Christ.

Stop looking.

My gaze traveled upward.

She caught me.

Shit.

Years of military training saved me.

My expression never changed.

I looked away.

Living here was a terrible idea.

Something dark twisted inside me.

I hated whatever was happening.

I had never looked at Catori this way.

I'd fed her bottles.

Changed diapers.

Watched her take her first steps.

Cheered at volleyball games.

Held her when she cried over boys.

Let her climb into my bed after nightmares.

So why was I looking at her like every other beautiful woman I'd ever wanted?

You aren't biologically related.

The thought appeared instantly.

I shoved it away.

Didn't matter.

We grew up together.

That had to mean something.

Mom set a plate in front of me before wrapping her arms around my shoulders.

She kissed my cheek.

Dad muttered something about her still treating me like a baby.

In his defense, he wasn't wrong.

Mom had always babied me.

Always tried to make sure I felt loved.

Especially after I learned I was adopted.

I got quiet after that.

Withdrawn.

Mom claimed I turned into Dad overnight.

My friends started calling me Ghost.

Girls seemed to love the whole mysterious, emotionally unavailable thing.

The conversation around the table continued.

Mom talked about an upcoming exhibit.

Dad and Mason listened like devoted followers.

Katia and Catori argued about something business-related.

Typical.

Mom raised them like twins despite the fact they looked nothing alike.

Katia resembled me.

Blond hair.

Black eyes.

Mom's face.

But Catori...

She looked like Mason.

Olive skin.

Long black hair.

Deep blue eyes. Mom's eyes but darker.

The kind that held your attention whether you wanted them to or not.

I focused on my food.

At least, I tried to.

My eyes drifted toward her again.

Her eyes.

Her mouth.

She was still arguing with Katia.

Then she licked her lips.

A slow sweep across the bottom one before catching the top.

Every muscle in my body locked.

What the actual fuck is happening to me?

As if she felt me staring, Catori suddenly looked up.

Our eyes met across the table.

And for one terrifying second, I wasn't sure who looked away first.