Fortune Favors the Bold

42

Javi led them in, unphased by the large chandelier that hung over the foyer. Kalani's awe got the best of her as she wandered through the open doors to admire the large living room. Adrian and Javi remained in the foyer, their voices dropping to hide their conversation.

Kalani's footsteps led her into a dining room that comprised a table larger than her own bedroom. It was decorated with carved bowls of fresh fruit and flower vases.

"Who are you?" A sudden voice asked, appearing in the doorway behind her. Kalani flinched, too overwhelmed by the beauty of the home to realize how far she'd gotten from her partner.

"Kalani."

"Okay, Kalani," the bald man nodded. His crystal blue eyes slid down her body as he readjusted the collar of his clean suit. "What are you doing in my house?" He asked.

"I was just looking around."

"Pablo," Javi's voice came as he threw his arm over the man's shoulder. "I see you've met our guests. This is Kalani. She's with 86." Pablo's expression cleared at the name. "They'll be staying with us for the night, remember?"

He nodded. "I remember." And his scowl dissolved into a kind smile that blew sweet energy as he extended his hand toward her. "Nice to meet you, Kalani."

She shook his hand. "You have a nice house."

"I know," Pablo grinned. "We've already had supper, but you can ring Mirabel if you need anything. The kitchen's right through that door and I believe your bathroom's already been stocked, right, Javi?"

Javi snorted. "Stocked- I mean, yes it has."

Pablo offered her a single nod. "Keep the windows to your room closed, Kalani, we've got quite a bit of peeping toms who'll take advantage of a clueless girl like yourself. Though I doubt 86'd let you do anything that foolish. It was nice to meet you." Then he left.

Javi held his smile until the man was gone. "You shouldn't wander around," he frowned at Kalani, taking her by the arm and urging her toward the stairs in the middle of the house. "I'll tell Mirabel to bring you up something to eat, you like wings?" Kalani nodded hesitantly. "86 is already in your room."

She blinked. "Why is he in my room?"

"He's in your room. You're in his room. The terminology hardly matters. It's just a room," he rambled quickly while walking with her up the stairs, keeping one hand on her upper back to make sure she didn't stop. "It's not my fault he didn't tell me you were coming."

"Can I get a different room?" Kalani stopped at the top and turned to look into Javi's grey eyes.

The surprise was almost evident by the way his eyes stared at her, not blinking. His parted lips dissolved into a smirk. "Someone's shy."

She scowled, offering a light shrug in the face of the amused boy staring at her. The way he crossed his arms over his chest and narrowed his eyes at her didn't help her case. "I'm not shy. I just don't want to share a room with him."

"I don't think he'd be okay with you sleeping anywhere else."

"It's not up to him."

Javi squinted. "Technically-."

Kalani interrupted him, already knowing where the light tone of his voice would lead him. "I make my own decisions."

At her words, he quickly nodded and lifted his hand into the air, placing the other one on his chest. "Of course, women!" He smiled. That was it. Kalani's expression dropped, her eyes widening in discomfiture, unsure whether to be embarrassed or empowered. When she remained quiet, Javi shook his head and returned to his normal position. "Just go in the room. The bed's a king."