He remained quiet, lost in thought.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he and Amalia would work through whatever this was, so I decided not to press. Pushing to my feet, I walked back toward Gloria, happy to be able to ride again, and climbed on the seat, eager to hear her purr for me.
“Do you, Kai? Do you love my sister?” he asked as I turned the ignition.
His direct question caught me off guard. Amalia and I had moments of deep connection, of admissions and revelations about our feelings for each other, but those three words had yet to be spoken out loud. I felt her in my heart, buried so deeply that I knew it was her home. I didn’t need months or years to understand what she meant to me and represented in my life or that she was the only woman I saw when I closed my eyes and envisioned a future.
“Even if you don’t want to answer, I know. I saw what you did for her that day.”
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“I’m not.” Gio approached me. “Kai, would you do anything for her?”
I whistled a breath. “You’re just full of questions today, aren’t you?”
“Well?”
Gio wasn’t ready to hear the lengths I would go to for Amalia. Putting a hand on his shoulder, I nodded. “I would.”
He grabbed my arms and attempted to shake me. “Then save her, Kai. Save her from herself. Take her away from here.”
“Gio, you know who I am. What I do.”
He squared his shoulders. “So stop. Sever your ties like your brother.”
“How the hell do you know about Derek?”
“That’s not important.”
“Kid,” I huffed.
“Gio.”
“Gio, it’s not that simple.”
He clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. “You’re all hypocrites.”
Without another word, he stormed up the steps. On his way inside, he shoved past Amalia and Holly and quickly disappeared.
“He’s still upset with you?” Holly asked.
“Seems that way.” Amalia climbed on my bike, straddling the seat and looping her arms around my neck. “He’ll get over it eventually,” she said with a tinge of sadness. I brought her closer so that her thighs rested on mine.
“Would you mind if I took him out for a bit? Maybe a movie, dinner. It’ll help us both clear our heads.”
Amalia seemed to contemplate the idea for a beat, then smiled at her friend and nodded. “Maybe that’s exactly what he needs. He’s been cooped up here for two weeks. Surrounded by everything that’s upsetting him, including me.”
“I know that feeling…of feeling suffocated and trapped while holding a grudge. That shit will wear on someone.”
I could only assume she was talking about Rocco. I knew of her feelings for that bastard, and it never occurred to me that a part of her could resent his death. But she also loved Amalia, so I could see how her feelings were conflicted.
“I’ll call you as soon as we get there.”
“Thank you, Hols.”
“Of course, babes. See you two lovebirds later.”
“How is she holding up?” I asked when she was gone.
