![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailywaffle.com\/stage1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/A-Proposal-They-Cant-Refuse-398x600.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nGet a Proposal They Can’t Refuse from The Ripped Bodice<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a> | IndieBound<\/a> | Amazon<\/a> | <\/strong>Apple Books<\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n (This post includes affiliate links that kick us a small percentage at no cost to you if you use them to shop. If this post helped you discover a new book, please use them to support my work – thanks!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kamilah Vega stomped up the short entryway and yanked the heavy glass door open with more force than necessary. A strong wind, the type only ever experienced in Chicago, grabbed a hold of the door and pushed it back so roughly that it made a loud bang. The front-desk secretary jumped and gave her a dirty look, but Kamilah barely noticed. Her attention went immediately to the two bodies slumped in the love seat outside the director\u2019s office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kamilah rubbed both hands over her face and let out the type of deep and weary sigh that someone should let out at midnight after a hard and long day\u2014not at eight thirty in the morning. She dropped her hands. \u201cDon\u2019t you think it\u2019s time to stop with the shenanigans? You\u2019re eighty years old, Abuelo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd that means what? That you two feel twelve?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria motioned for them to enter her office, and they filed in. Kamilah purposely let Abuelo and Killian sit in the two chairs in front of Maria\u2019s desk, while she stood behind them, a hand on each of their shoulders. It was the same stance her mami had taken the time she and her cousin Lucy had got in trouble for skipping gym class for two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kamilah closed her eyes and shook her head. It was a variation on what she\u2019d said right before giving the Devious Duo a monthlong suspension from bingo for starting an illicit gambling ring; before that, there was a security-enforced curfew after the strip-poker fiasco. \u201cWhat did they do now?\u201d she asked, well aware that it was the third or fourth time she\u2019d asked the question that morning and had yet to get a response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour feelings aside,\u201d Maria continued, \u201cwe do have proof. The cameras that we installed in the cafeteria and kitchen caught very clear images of you both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey won\u2019t even let me drink caf\u00e9 con leche,\u201d Abuelo added. \u201cThey give me light brown poop water and call it coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Used to their antics, Maria nodded her head and left the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Killian nodded. \u201cWe are grown men.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, Tweedledum and Tweedledee laughed their asses off like a pair of demented hyenas. When he fell to his knees, Kamilah suddenly found herself face-to-face with the exact man she\u2019d just prayed wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is wrong with you?\u201d He wheezed. \u201cYou can\u2019t just go around dick-punching people.\u201d Kamilah saw that look often. Whatever. He pissed her off too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He arched his brows. \u201cNena, aren\u2019t you going to apologize to him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liam threw up his hands and let out a sound of exasperation. \u201cWhat principle? That the people you pay to take care of you actually take care of you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t get it because it\u2019s nonsense. Granda, where do you plan to go if you get kicked out? You sold your house to move in here with Papo.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kamilah scowled. He didn\u2019t have to bring up her living situation like that. \u201cIt\u2019s interesting, isn\u2019t it? It\u2019s like it\u2019s not a big deal for us, because I\u2019m not a miserable person who is extremely difficult to be around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGlad to be of service.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat?\u201d Killian shrugged. \u201cAll I\u2019m saying is you two fight like a couple.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n There was a beat of silence, and then both octogenarians\u2019 eyes lit with the same mischievousness. The kind that had no doubt led to all of them being in their current situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith the stuff they serve here, it feels more like a rew\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Echoing her thoughts, Liam scoffed. \u201cAs if you aren\u2019t going to end up making them three-course meals complete with dessert.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excerpted from A Proposal They Can\u2019t Refuse by Natalie Ca\u00f1a. Copyright \u00a9 2022 by Natalie Ca\u00f1a. Published by MIRA Books.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/strong>Get A Proposal They Can’t Refuse from The Ripped Bodice<\/a> | Bookshop.org<\/a> | IndieBound<\/a> | Amazon<\/a> | <\/strong>Apple Books<\/strong><\/a><\/p>
\n\n\n\nEXCERPT:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
She tried her best to keep the anger out of her voice because she already knew how the two troublemakers in front of her would react to it. \u201cWhat did you do now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That garnered an immediate and very predictable response of \u201cNothing\u201d from both occupants. It was a lie, of course. It always was whenever these two started claiming innocence in unison.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her grandfather gasped in outrage at the mention of his age and scowled at her. His salt-and-pepper hair was sticking up all over the place like a fuzzy baby monkey, making him look adorable despite the baleful glare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking decidedly more put together, even in his tattered denim overalls and faded flannel, Abuelo\u2019s roommate and best friend gave her his own version of the stink eye. \u201cYou\u2019re only as old as you feel,\u201d Killian replied in his deep Irish brogue.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before they could answer, the door to the office opened, and there stood Maria Lopez-Hermann, the director of Casa del Sol Senior Living. \u201cHello, Kamilah. I\u2019m glad you were able to come on such short notice. I know you were probably in the middle of morning prep at the restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah didn\u2019t bother telling Maria that after closing the night before, she\u2019d slept through her many alarms and was late to work. Now, thanks to the two hooligans next to her, she was going to be very, very late. Her employers wouldn\u2019t care about her excuses. It didn\u2019t matter that they were her parents. Kamilah was a Vega and an employee, so her main responsibility was to the family restaurant. Always.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abuelo crossed one leg over the other and tucked his hands under his armpits, while Killian leaned back, spread his legs wide, and let his arms hang over the short back of the barrel chair. Kamilah once again marveled at their ability to look summarily unconcerned while she was sweating bullets, and she hadn\u2019t even done anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria took a seat behind her desk and interlocked her fingers, resting them on top of her desktop calendar. \u201cI thought I had made myself clear after the bird incident that being banned from pet therapy would be the least of your worries if there were any more pranks pulled.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis morning we had two residents with high blood pressure show alarmingly high readings after breakfast. We did some investigating and found that Mr. Kane and Mr. Vega had snuck into the cafeteria last night and replaced the decaffeinated coffee grounds with fully caffeinated espresso.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbuelo!\u201d Kamilah exclaimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t have any proof it was us,\u201d Killian interjected. \u201cThey just want to blame us for everything that happens in this godforsaken prison.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPrison,\u201d Kamilah scoffed. \u201cYou two have more freedom than anyone else in here.\u201d It was true. Because of their relatively good physical health and stable mental health, Abuelo and Killian didn\u2019t require as much care as many of the other residents. It was more as if Casa del Sol were their college dorm rather than their senior-care facility. It didn\u2019t help that the two tended to view the senior-living center\u2019s strict rules as friendly suggestions.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abuelo softly damned the cameras. \u201cCondenados c\u00e1maras.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Killian had other concerns. \u201cYou hear that, Papo? Freedom,\u201d he harrumphed.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s decaf with a splash of coconut milk, and your doctor says it\u2019s better for your heart,\u201d Kamilah pointed out. Abuelo\u2019s doctor also said his congestive heart failure was very treatable as long as he took his meds, stuck to a heart-healthy diet, and remained relatively active. Of course, Abuelo paid him no attention.
As if on cue, Abuelo made a noise of disdain. \u201cEse doctor no sabe na\u2019. Cuando me duele el pecho, me pongo un poco de Vapor\u00fa y ya.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah sucked her teeth more at the claim that his doctor knew nothing than at the miraculous healing quality of Vicks VapoRub. All Latinx people knew Vapor\u00fa was the cure for everything from a common cold to heartbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abuelo looked at the director of the complex with petulance. \u201cAnd when are you going to start serving carne frita con mofongo?\u201d Abuelo continued, because apparently he was on a roll. \u201cI\u2019m sick of eating all these steamed vegetables like a damn rabbit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria leaned forward. \u201cMr. Vega, if you are so unhappy with Casa del Sol, you are welcome to find another living facility to reside in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah jumped in before her hardheaded grandfather could ruin the best thing he had going for him. \u201cMaria, could I talk to these two alone for a few minutes before you lower the hammer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah sank to her haunches between their chairs and waited until both men looked at her. \u201cYou guys have to stop this,\u201d she said in her voice of reason tone. She placed a hand on each of theirs. \u201cI don\u2019t have time for you to be staging weekly high jinks like you\u2019re the Little Rascals. I can\u2019t be here all the time making sure that you don\u2019t get kicked out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abuelo turned his face away. \u201cNobody told you to come act like our mother.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBullshite,\u201d a deep voice sneered from too damn close, startling Kamilah right as she felt a presence looming over her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A girl who grew up on the West Side of Chicago and with four tormenting older brothers knew to strike first and ask questions later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNot today,\u201d Kamilah declared in her You-Messed-Withthe-Wrong-Bitch voice, spinning around in her crouched position, morphing into famous Chicago heavyweight champion Ernie Terrell, and swinging her fist at her would-be attacker\u2019s crotch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moment her fist connected with the very sensitive part of the man\u2019s anatomy and she heard his pained \u201cSon of a bitch,\u201d she knew she\u2019d made a grave mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh dear God, no. Not him. Please don\u2019t let him be here.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big, broad, and brooding, Killian\u2019s grandson didn\u2019t resemble him in the least. Where Killian had a round face and wide nose with a bit of a hook at the end, Liam looked like something conjured out of the tie me up and spank me books her sister-in-law was always reading. His face was all sharp angles, set off by dark stubble, a stern mouth, and cool eyes.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hyenas laughed harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with me?\u201d she asked, incredulous. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you, coming up on me like that? You don\u2019t sneak up on a woman and expect not to get junk-punched. Especially not a woman born and raised in Humboldt Park.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His French-blue eyes narrowed under dark brows. His nostrils flared while he inhaled deeply. That was Liam speak for I\u2019d really like to tell you off right now, but not going to engage.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe has a point, lad,\u201d Killian said, the amusement still thick in his voice. \u201cYou deserved that whack to the wanker.\u201d He stood and pulled his grandson to his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah found herself once again eye level with Liam\u2019s crotch. She quickly stood and turned away from him, her face flushing with embarrassment. She met Abuelo\u2019s gaze.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMe? Apologize to him?\u201d Kamilah let out an incredulous bark of laughter. \u201cHe should apologize for sneaking in here and scaring me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t sneak. The door was open.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah didn\u2019t answer. She should own up to her part and apologize, but her pride wouldn\u2019t let her. Pride was the only thing protecting her from Liam. She couldn\u2019t let it go now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liam stared, expressionless. Then he ignored her comment completely. \u201cGranda, what did you do now?\u201d
Kamilah hated when he ignored her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Killian opened his mouth, but Liam cut him off. \u201cAnd don\u2019t say nothing, because I know you better than that.\u201d
Before Killian could come up with a story, Maria walked back into the office. \u201cThey threw away all of the decaf coffee and replaced it with Caf\u00e9 Bustelo espresso.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the hell, Granda? You are willing to get kicked out of this place over coffee? Seriously?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not the coffee. It\u2019s the principle,\u201d Killian replied, his nose in the air.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Killian crossed his arms. \u201cYou don\u2019t get it because you\u2019re young.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the mention of the house he once shared with the love of his life, Killian\u2019s face fell. That had been his wife\u2019s dream house, and Kamilah had always suspected that he hadn\u2019t really been ready to sell it.
\u201cIf you get thrown out, you can\u2019t live with me, Granda.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was too much. Kamilah certainly wasn\u2019t in agreement with their troublemaking, but Liam didn\u2019t have the right to speak to his grandfather that way. Not after all Killian had done for him. \u201cBecause God forbid Super Loner Liam has to allow someone into his hermit cave.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He turned on her. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m saying that if they did get asked to leave, which we don\u2019t know is going to happen, it wouldn\u2019t kill you to let your grandpa move in with you. That\u2019s what family does.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was referring to the fact that he can\u2019t walk that many stairs anymore, but I guess, as the almost thirty-year-old woman living with her parents, I should take your word on that other stuff.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liam scowled at her. \u201cDon\u2019t you have somewhere to be? Like, off making someone else\u2019s day shitty?\u201d
Rude. Her pulse sped up. \u201cI usually would, but since I already started with you, I can check it off my to-do list and it\u2019s not even ten o\u2019clock. Thanks a bunch.\u201d She added a sweet smile.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWould you two just get a room already?\u201d Killian said. Liam turned his dark look on his grandfather, and she made a disgusted noise.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d Abuelo added his two cents. \u201cYou should just get married already.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know what? Let\u2019s get back to the reason we are here.\u201d She faced Maria. \u201cThey may not look it, but I know Abuelo and Killian are sorry for the danger they put their fellow residents in, and next time they will think more about the consequences before they do something so incredibly stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maria let loose a world-weary sigh, much like the one Kamilah had released earlier. She gave a small eye roll while shaking her head because they both knew Kamilah was full of shit. \u201cTheir cafeteria privileges have been revoked for the next two weeks. Prepackaged paper-bag meals will be sent to their apartment, or their families will have to provide their meals for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIs that supposed to be a punishment?\u201d Abuelo asked.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah covered his mouth with her hand. \u201cThat seems totally fair.\u201d In her head she was freaking out because she just knew she was going to be the one providing said meals, and she did not have the time for all that. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure they get fed.\u201d She felt Abuelo\u2019s mouth curve behind her hand, and she saw Killian\u2019s pleased smile. \u201cDon\u2019t get too happy,\u201d she warned. \u201cYou think they denied you? Just wait to see what I have in store. When I\u2019m done with you, you are going to wish you could eat rabbit food.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were completely unfazed by her threats. Probably because they knew Kamilah was a cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e\u2014right below a crackly hard surface, she was really just pudding.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kamilah fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him like a six-year-old. Instead, she ignored him. \u201cI have to go to work, but for the love of God, please behave yourselves today,\u201d she begged the duo of deviants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was almost positive she heard Killian mumble, \u201cWe make no promises.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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