It’s Aster’s team who remains on standby, and who heads out to take them down, the moment Reuben gives them the location.
The island is located in the territory of the Lester Family, a new family that has been growing slowly over the last six years. It turns out, they’re also one of the families who have been arguing for more territory with the Taigas… so this year’s negotiations are sure to be fun.
Baal and Reuben are quiet most of the time when they’re not giving orders, but whenever they speak to each other they’re always bantering in Spanish. I’ve never seen many interactions between Reuben and his siblings, but something about it makes the atmosphere just a bit more bearable.
“How are you holding up?”Baal asks him.
“I’m fine.”Reuben’s voice is clipped.
“If I’m being honest, it’s not that strange that he broke up with you.”
“He didn’t break up with me.”I can feel Reuben’s glare from here.
“He’s had a rough day,”Baal ignores him with a reassuring grin.“Let him breathe for a little while and I’m sure you guys will be back together in no time.”
“I’ll shoot you, Baal. If you don’t shut up, I’ll shoot you.”
I have to tune myself out and pretend I don’t hear it.
I’m definitely regretting learning Spanish. Ignorance was blissful.
We’re on our way back to the estate when Aster’s team closes in on the island.
The wait for an update strikes the tension up even further as the hour passes, but even when we arrive at the mansion, there isn’t a single soul among us who can stomach the stillness.
We need motion.
We need distraction.
Instead, the five of us end up loitering in the city for another hour, where Baal treats us all to tacos and burgers at a popular place nearby.
I can’t find it in me to eat anything, but when Gabriel slides a wrapped burger towards me, I accept anyway—as compliant as a wallflower, with all my emotions spent.
By now, my body too, aches with every movement.
Reuben is the first to place a med kit beside me to treat them. I open my mouth to protest but he gives me a warning glare, and I have no choice but to snap my mouth shut. I’m not sure what I expected, but him pouring vodka over the open cuts on my arms should’ve been predictable.
I’m cursing like a pirate, when he mumbles, “Don’t be a baby.”
Why don’t you try getting hit by a fucking truck and see how it feels?
“You’re better off bathing me in it at this point,” I grind between my teeth, slitting my eyes into a scathing glare. But he just holds my gaze with a bland expression as he pours more alcohol over me.
Bastard.
There’s a gleam of amusement in his eyes as he wraps up my arms, and I’m hoping that’s the end of it until I realize he isn’t leaving. He’s watching me expectantly.
“What?”
“Shirt.”
“Definitely not.”
He gives me a hard stare, nose flaring. “You were hit by a truck.”
“Then I don’t think alcohol’s really going to help me—”
He yanks my shirt up before I can stop him and the movement makes me hiss. He freezes when he sees my bruises, and I can’t help but wince when a terrifyingly calm smile touches his lips, “On second thought, I think I will bathe you in it.”
