You Bet Your Sweet Ass We Need To Talk (Estaban) - Frederico's Haven

He stirred his drink absentmindedly as he watched her and thought.

"Oh, and what proposal would that be, sweet Rosita?"

Oh look, they were being nice.. no, really..nice.

They were totally being nice. Really.

"My suggestion is that you should stay here with me for a while. So we can ... get to know one another."

Yeah.

That's it.

Really.

He smiled ever so sweetly.

"That is an interesting proposition to show father how well we are getting along, but I have a place to live and two's company three is fun.. for a night, but a crowd after a couple of days. But I will make sure to visit you. Often."

really.. Sure he would.

She flashed another grin. Innocent as a setting dove. Honest.

"Oh, I thought you might be worried about it becoming crowded. I already plan to arrange for Father to take your place in your current home, dear brother."

She said exactly what she meant, too.

blink blink blink. Oh no she didnt.

"So sweet of you, but my place is with Ra'idah. And as much as I would enjoy being here to constantly be teased, tortured and tormented by you, Ra'idah is shy and would miss me terribly. Nice try though."

Oh yes, he was loosing the sweetness. And extended time with this harpy?

Her brows rose.

"Oh, now, brother, I didn't say that you couldn't see your sweet little blonde. And let's face it, both you and she owe me this much."

Not backing down, apparently.

His brows matched hers.

"And how do you see it that we owe you? Is it our fault you could not come with him?"

She snorted softly.

"It is the fault of your little lady that he came here at all, Estaban, rather than staying where he was needed. In order to assist you. Don't act like I'm asking you to give up your firstborn or something equally over-dramatic."

he thought for a moment.

"I am sorry father wasnt there when you needed him. He does that at times. He still loves you. This will be hard on her. You have no idea how hard. Wouldnt you prefer to have father here in your bed instead? He is the one you love, not me darling sister."

She smiled, and it was just as sweet as sugar.

"Oh, that's not the point, darling brother. It is not about whether I love you or not. It's that I believe that you should feel just a fraction of what I have had to deal with for the last few months, while still leaving Father with a toy to entertain him that will keep him satisfied."

Oops. Yeah. She just referred to Ra'idah as a toy. Awkward.

He looked at her for a moment.

"so to punish me for keeping father away from you, you voluntarily stay away from him again? That doesnt make sense."

Like women ever made sense.

"And if I say no?"

She smiled.

"Then I will find another way to make your life Hell. And it will be even worse Hell than spending a few nights with me, dear brother."

He frowned.

"How many nights?"

She smiled sweetly.

"As many as I say. But less than you subjected me to, of course."

He sighed and shook his head.

"You realize I can make father do nothing he does not want to do. And thus his staying way from you had really nothing to do with me. It was all his decision. No amount of revenge will change that."

She laughed.

"Oh, I am aware. And he will answer for it eventually as well. But I do enjoy my little games."

He smiled at that.

"Ah, but when you plan your games, you need to make sure the other person is willing to play."

He finished his drink and stood, taking the glass to the kitchen.

"you little sister are cute, but I think I will stick with the woman I love most. You want us to trade, convince her..."

He laughed at that.

The smile on her face turned wicked.

"Oh, if that's what you wish, dear brother. Have no fear, she can be easily convinced, I would bet."

She wiggled her fingers, as if waving goodbye.

"If I were you, I'd enjoy the time you have left with her, darling, if you wish to play that way."

He raised an eyebrow.

"The time I have left?"

He moved up to his sister, moved up close.

"Make no mistake sister, you are talking about the woman I love, if you find someway to break her heart, to destroy her, I will spend the rest of my life to doing the same to you. Mess with me if you must but never ever mess with Ra'idah. Do you understand me?"

Even through his ferocity, she didn't even blink. She just kept her sweet smile.

"Perhaps you should consider these things when refusing to do something as simple as spending a few nights in my presence, dear brother, when we both know that it would make our Father happy. You reap what you sow, my darling, and there is very, very little that I fear from you. It was a valiant effort, though. I applaud you for that."

He grabbed her face now, a hand under her jaw.

"So you are brave. You are also stupid. I am warning you. Don't mess with Ra'idah..."

He had strength, more strength than most Toreador. Then he released her.

"Let me think about, think about...situations."

If she was surprised by his strength, she didn't seem to show it.

"You think, darling brother. I'll give you three nights to get back to me."

"Three nights. How generous. And what would stop me from going to Frederico with this?"

Her brow rose.

"What makes you think he does not already know and approve?"

Of course. The bitch.

"Because he knows things you don't. Big surprise there little sister. I am not thinking of myself, I am thinking about the woman I love and how she is going to feel."