Seeing Donovan this close, the resemblance to his mother is obvious. His skin is lighter than both Malia’s and his father’s; the only thing he seems to have pulled from his father is the curly black hair. Other than that, he looks nothing like Malia or The Omen. He’d have been a good hidden secret weapon for The Omen instead of Malia. She’s a carbon copy of their father.
Donovan’s gaze is also missing the hardness. It’s completely void of all the coldness that lives in Malia’s and The Omen’s emerald eyes. There’s stress, sure. But that’s probably a result of his sister’s disappearance. Then again, I know the two aren’t close, so I can’t assume what he feels about the situation.
“Dad’s calling a meeting in his office,” Donovan drawls. “Figured I would be the best person to come get you.”
“I couldn’t give two flying fucks about what your daddy is doing, Donovan,” I clip. “If it doesn’t involve Malia then I don’t want any part of it.”
He raises a brow at me and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.
“Malia’s disappearance has turned our house into a fucked-up version of The Bachelorette. Caine Byrne showed up and Dad wants to make sure everyone keeps their dicks in their pants. I’ve come to warn you.”
I chuckle.
“And what’s in it for you?”
“When everyone starts playing tug-of-Malia I hope you’re the one that wins,” he shrugs.
That’s something I didn’t expect from him.
“Color me curious,” I say.
Donovan’s smile grows into something more genuine.
“Because even Malia Olin deserves a happy ending and I think you’re the only one whocan give it to her. Caine cheated on my sister. Sure it was a fucked up situation, but even still, if she had given him the chance he wanted, they wouldn’t have been able to move past that. Not with how my sister is.”
He gives me a pointed look and I huff a laugh. Don’t I fucking know it.
“Breckin loves the idea of Malia, but would never fully accept her as she is . He needs someone who isn’t going to challenge his dominance—“
“Your buddy is a bitch,” I interrupt.
He dips his chin, as if agreeing.
“I don’t know you well and haven’t spoken to you much, Liam Brenner. But only one of three men fighting for my sister’s heart would look Lion Castello in the eye and ask for my sister’s hand in marriage. Only one of those men wouldn’t heel under our dad.”
He sighs and I wait for him to continue.
“You put aside your dislike for Lion and my father, for our family, to find my sister. You asked for their permission despite your own feelings. That’s the type of man I want for my sister.”
His smile tightens into something sad.
“Someone who will put her first, because she deserves that for once. No matter how much of an asshole Malia is, she deserves to find happiness in you.”
The two of us look at each other for a long moment and I clear my throat.
“It feels like we’re going to kiss,” I grumble.
Donovan barks out a laugh.
“Not my type, sorry for you.”
He reaches out and slaps me on the arm that isn’t wounded. “Let’s get this over with and find my fucking sister.”
“A-fucking-men,” I say, following Donovan out of the room and back toward The Omen’s office.
“You’re not what I expected,” I admit, falling into step with Donovan.
He looks over at me, his brows pinched together like he doesn’t know what the hell I’m talking about.