Enzo rolled his eyes. "Sure."
"I did," I shrugged. "Look we need to talk."
"About?"
"About how shitty I am. You are my only family, E. I didn't mean for things to happen this way. You gotta believe me."
Enzo pushed away from the wall and walked to the desk. He never made eye contact with me. He fiddled around on the computer, the bright light from the monitor dancing on his skin. Finally, he spoke, "Do you remember when we were little and would have a fight."
He looked up, a slight grin running across his face. It allowed me to think back to our mother. "She would make us sit together and play a game."
"You'd win anyway," Enzo's grin turned to a frown.
"Not always," I said thoughtfully. "She was a great woman."
"Too good for him," Enzo spoke. "When they recovered his remains, Thierry. Fished it from the pond in the back of the house....I didn't shed a tear."
Vito had been a son of a bitch. He had never deserved our mother or us. Enzo could have lived his own life but our father had made us what we were. The air seemed to change in the room then. It was like his ghost was there for a moment. A chill seemed to ensnare my body, the hairs on my arms seemed to stand up, for just a few moments before I shook it off.
"Let's go home," I told Enzo.
He nodded. "I'm still mad."
"I know."
Chapter 9
Diamond
My stomach had twisted itself up into a knot. I had no idea why she would be texting me. I had lied to Thierry's face because I didn't want him asking questions and assuming things. Turning into theMetro Plaza Hotel, I parked in the parking deck and headed inside.
There was a hazy blue color floating in the air given off by the neon sign above the bar. There were plenty of people enjoying dinner and drinks here. Which seemed safe. There wouldn't be too much of a confrontation here.
Fuck,I thought.
I was ready to puke my guts out. My stomach felt like I was surfboarding out at sea. Moisture had collected on my palms causing my hands to feel clammy. Why had I even agreed to this little meet and greet?
"Diamond," a hand touched my shoulder.
Whirling around, I spoke. "Oh, hey girl, I was just looking for you."
"I had ran to the restroom… I grabbed us a table."
Elana West, Nathan's wife, had been the one to text me. She had wanted to have drinks and discuss something. My daddy hadn't raised a coward, so I knew I had to take my medicine.
Following her over to a table in the corner, we sat down. "I can't believe all the time Nathan and I have been married; we've never hung out."
I pretended to think. "Oh my, I guess that's true."
"And you're his favorite cousin too. It’s kind of a shame don't you think?"
I nodded in agreement as a waiter popped over. I ordered bourbon and knew I was going to have to pump and dump after this situation. Luckily, I'd been drinking Mother's Milk Tea and it had my milk production going through the roof for Tibs.
"How’s the baby. Nathan says he hasn't even come by to see him yet. And what's this I hear about Thierry....he's fine?"
Why hadn't I declined this meeting? The last thing I wanted was to talk about my child and husband, especially when I still didn't know what in the hell she wanted. Playing nice, I nodded. "Yeah, Thierry's alive. He made a very stupid decision to stay away for a while....but the baby...he's amazing."
"Nathan always wanted a boy," Elana looked wistfully. "Look you're his family...I mean he really doesn't deal with too many of y’all. Lately, he's been pulling away from me. Do you think...."
