CHAPTER 148. CLAIRE

CHAPTER 148. CLAIRE
We returned to my apartment around ten. Aiden was already sound asleep in his chair. My baby boy had fallen asleep in the middle of dinner. Raviel and I hadn't noticed, too engrossed in our conversation. Aiden had fallen asleep on his own, without any milk or fuss. Our voices probably sounded like the perfect lullaby to him.
“You have so many spare bedrooms in that house, yet you live in an apartment. I still can’t fathom your thinking, Rave.”
“Even though the house is grand, it’s lonely. I’d rather stay here. Close to you and Aiden.”
“Eventually, you’ll have to go back to Miami or Las Vegas to take care of your businesses.”
“Or stay here forever. Unless something comes up that requires me to go back to Las Vegas or Miami.”
I stared at his back as he walked ahead of me to my unit, pushing Aiden's stroller. Part of me wanted the same thing. I wanted Raviel to stay in LA, so Aiden could spend time with his dad every day. So I could see his face every day. So we could talk about happy things every day.
“Where do you want to have dinner tomorrow? Your apartment, mine, or your house?”
“I’ll need to buy a new refrigerator for my apartment and do some more shopping if you want to cook at my place.”
“My apartment, then. We’ve had dinner at your place many times, so you should have dinner at mine tomorrow.”
“Fine with me.”
“Great. I’ll cook something with shrimp and lobster.”
“That sounds delicious. You’re making my mouth water just thinking about it.”
I punched his arm lightly.
“Don’t get your expectations too high. You probably won’t like it. It’s a new recipe. I’m not even sure how it tastes.”
“As long as it’s edible, I don’t really care.”
I punched the numbers to unlock my apartment. Raviel watched, and I smiled at him.
“Seriously? Aiden’s birthday? That’s too easy to guess, Claire.”
“If someone breaks into my apartment, they’ll be disappointed because I don’t have any valuables.”
“Your life and Aiden’s are worth more than anything. They might not want your stuff, but they might want you and Aiden.”
I pushed open my apartment door, darkness welcoming us.
“What can they do to us?” I shrugged nonchalantly.
“Your bodies and organs could be sold on the black market. Trust me, it’s real.”
“Have you seen it?”
Raviel didn’t say anything, but his expression said it all. And I shuddered at the thought.
“You should change your apartment password or install double locks on your door as a second precaution.”
“Okay. I guess I should.”
I flipped on the light switch, and my entire apartment was instantly lit up.
I jumped in surprise, and my back hit Raviel's chest as I jumped back.
Anthonio stood in the middle of my living room. His expression was cold and unreadable. His hands were shoved in his pockets.
“Hi. You’re back from Washington.”
I walked over to him as if nothing had happened, even though deep in my ribcage, my heart was pounding furiously.
I hugged him, who was tense. He didn't hug me back. His gaze fell on Raviel, who was pushing Aiden's stroller toward his room.
“You didn’t tell me you were back in LA.”
“This was supposed to be a surprise. My plane landed at seven, and I headed straight here.”
“Glad you’re back in LA. You must have lots of fun stories to share with me.”
I glanced at Aiden’s open bedroom door, unsure of what to do with the two men.
“Have you had dinner? Want me to make you something?”
Raviel walked out of Aiden’s room just as I was about to go to the kitchen to get Anthonio some tea.
“I’m going home. See you tomorrow.”
I froze as Raviel planted a soft kiss on my cheek.
I hadn’t anticipated it at all. I didn’t have time to move away from him when he was about to kiss me. But even if I’d known he was going to do it, I probably would have just let him do it.
“Good night, everyone.”
Raviel left my apartment as if he hadn’t noticed the anger on Anthonio’s face.
Damn him!