“She would have fought you,” Bit added. “Refused to let you do it. Her pride?—”
“Her pride is part of what I love about her.” I stared out at the dark vineyard. “She’s stubborn and independent, and she’d rather break than bend. But that’s also why she needed someoneto have her back without her knowing. Lucas would never have accepted help either.”
“So you were protecting both of them,” Tryst said.
“Fat lot of good it did.” I sounded bitter because I was. “Now, I’ve lost her.”
“Give her time,” Bit said. “Let her cool down. Then see if she’ll let you explain.”
Tryst studied me. “What else is on your mind, nephew?”
“I need to talk to Kick. It’s Christmas, and I’ve been so angry with him that he’s probably sitting somewhere alone, thinking his family doesn’t want him around.”
Tryst and Bit exchanged glances.
“What?” Dread pooled in my stomach.
“His phone’s off,” said Bit.
“What do you mean? Since when?”
“Yesterday, then we tried to reach him when he missed the bottling, but we haven’t heard anything from him.”
The front door of the main house opened, and Ma appeared, silhouetted against the light. She stood there for a moment before stepping onto the porch, wrapping her cardigan tighter around herself.
“Tryst? Trevino?” Her said across the distance. “Is everything all right?”
We walked back toward the house, and Ma’s eyes found mine immediately. Even in the dim light from the porch, I could see the worry etched on her face.
“Salazar, you’re here. Have you heard from your brother?” she asked before I could say anything.
I didn’t need to ask which one. “I haven’t, Ma.”
“Where is he? Tomorrow is Christmas.” Her eyes filled with tears, and I felt like the world’s biggest asshole for being angry with my brother instead of making things right before now.
Tryst wrapped his arm around Ma’s shoulders. “I’m sure he’s fine, Lucia. You know how Rascon gets sometimes. Needs space to think.”
I sent a text. Maybe he wasn’t answering anyone else because it was me he needed to hear from.Where are you? Ma’s worried. We’re all worried. We need to talk, bro. Just let us know you’re okay.The message showed as delivered but not read.
“He won’t miss Christmas,” I assured her, even though I wasn’t as certain myself.
“I’m sure you’re right. He’s probably just busy with friends.”
I got what she was doing. Find excuses so she didn’t go mad with worry.
“Salazar is right,” Tryst said with more confidence than I felt. “Rascon will show up tomorrow morning with some explanation that makes perfect sense.”
My mother hugged herself. “Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.”
“Be right in, Ma. I promise.”
She kissed my cheek before heading back into the house. The door closed behind her, and the three of us stood in the cold. None of us spoke.
I looked between my brother and uncle. “I don’t know what the hell to do.”
“About Saffron or Kick?” Bit asked.
“Both.”
