Carmen Cortez, 21, is not just your ordinary woman. She is someone who has made plentiful mistakes, but will do everything she can to fix them, even if that means becoming an assassin. Having ten older brothers and a twin sister, it's kind of hard t...
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Carmen's attempt to regain composure was met with a playful smile on my part. "You know, princess, not everyone gets the chance to admire such a masterpiece up close," I quipped, tracing an invisible line down her arm with a teasing grin.
Her eyes narrowed in mock annoyance, and she retorted, "Save the flattery for someone who falls for it."
With a chuckle, I leaned against the hallway wall, looking down at her. "Why resist what you can't deny, sweetheart? It's not every day you get to run into someone as charming as me."
Carmen crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "Charming? More like shameless."
I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Is it shameless if you secretly enjoy it?"
Her laughter echoed in the hallway, and for a moment, the playful exchange lightened the atmosphere.
Carmen playfully rolled her eyes, clearly trying to maintain a facade of nonchalance. "I'll admit, Alex, your audacity is unmatched," she quipped, the subtle hint of a smile betraying her attempt at indifference.
I flashed a mischievous grin, moving a step closer. "Audacity, charm - it's all in the eye of the beholder. Or in this case, the one being beheld."
She leaned against the wall, crossing her legs, an amused glint in her eyes. "You're quite the smooth talker, aren't you?"
I shrugged nonchalantly. "Comes with the territory. But you, Carmen, have a way of keeping things interesting."
Turning around, I found myself under the scrutiny of all her brothers. Tonight was definitely not the night to test fate.
Shit.
Kai's eyes bore into mine, a silent warning that needed no words. As the air tensed with unspoken threats, he finally spoke, "Anyone other than her."
The ominous undertone in his voice hung in the air, a reminder that crossing certain lines came with consequences.
The weight of Kai's warning settled in, and I couldn't fathom causing any pain to her. The idea of hurting Carmen, even unintentionally, felt like a betrayal I wasn't willing to commit.
After getting dressed, I walked back downstairs and noticed Carmen sitting at the kitchen counter eating ice cream.
"You didn't make your guest a bowl. I'm hurt, Carmen," I said.
"Technically, you're Kai's guest, and besides, you've been around here long enough to make your own," she said.
"Wow," I replied, raising an eyebrow. Carmen continued to enjoy her ice cream, seemingly unfazed by my mock offense.
"Listen, princess, if I had known I needed to bring my own bowl, I would have come prepared," I said with a smirk, leaning against the counter.
