“Never.” He’d never abandon her. Knew how hard it’d been for her at such a young age to be told she was being shipped off to a new planet and the only parental figure she had left was staying behind. Nate had done his best since that day to fill in the role, but he could never measure up to Nuri. “How about dinner this weekend?”
“Yeah, I can do eight. Our place?”
“Sure.” It’d been a couple of months since they’d last eaten out together. “Or, why not go out? Movies beforehand?”
“Sounds way better.” Neve’s voice got distant as she turned away and spoke to someone else. “Verga says hi.”
“Hi back.” Nate liked his sister's boyfriend. The two had dated for a while before making the decision to move in with one another. “Invite him if you want.”
“You sure?” Neve hesitated. “You won’t feel like a third wheel?”
“Not at all.” He would a little, but that didn’t matter. He could handle a bit of discomfort if it meant making his sister happy, and he knew she’d be pleased with the offer. It was important to her that the two of them get along, which meant Nate went out of his way to subtly reassure her they did. Peace of mind was priceless, and Neve deserved nothing less.
“I’ll ask him then,” she said, her excitement obvious. “He was just telling me how much he wants to get to know you better.”
“Was he?” Nate doubted that.
“Of course. I talk about you all the time. Why wouldn’t he?”
“Nate Be’tessi?” a light voice called out to him from the sidewalk, and Nate turned his head to find a girl walking toward him. She was in a thick winter coat in white with a matching hat and set of gloves, but her shirt was black, indicating she was a senior.
“Did someone just call you brother in the old tongue?” Neve let out a low whistle. “Someone has a crush.”
Be’tessi was used between someone and a male older than them by a few years. It roughly translated to “older brother”, but wasn’t used on those who shared a blood relation. When he’d first arrived on this planet, there’d been a whole book of terminology Nate had needed to memorize in order to properly fit in. Though most of the younger generation no longer used traditional terms like that one, many of the elderly did.
“Shut up,” Nate hissed and then waved at the girl who was still approaching. “I’ll call you back later.”
“Sure, big brother,” Neve laughed. “Have fun flirting!”
He really wished she hadn’t called him that; all it did was remind him of Kazimir and why he was here. Pulling out the earpiece, he inserted it into the side of his multi-slate just as the girl reached him, sure to keep the casual smile on all the while.
“Hey, Odette. What’s up?” He’d been a senior when she’d first started school, and they’d spoken a bit through the mentorship program he’d been a part of to help younger classmates deal with the transition from high school to college. They’d gotten close enough that when she’d asked if it would be all right to refer to him as Be’tessi, he hadn’t found reason not to agree.
Since she was in the same grade as Kaz, he wondered if the two had any classes together.
“Prepping for finals.” She waved the tablet she held. “What about you? How have you been?”
“Good,” he lied. “How’s your grandfather?”
She glanced down at her boots. “He passed away last month.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. He’d been sick for a while. I like to focus on the fact he’s no longer in pain, you know?”
“Yeah,” he nodded solemnly. “I get that.”
The sound of laughter reached them, and Nate glanced over to the front of the building, watching as students began to pour out. It didn’t take long for Kazimir to appear with them, two Brumal members Nate didn’t know the names of with him.
He hated to admit it, but it was easy to see why everyone on campus swooned for the new underboss, even knowing he was in the mafia. It wasn’t just the impressive height or the sexy strands of dark hair the wind blew over Kaz’s forehead that made him attractive. The intensity in his gaze as he set his sights on Nate, how he seemed to take all of him in through a single glance…
Kazimir could make a person feel like they were the only one on the entire planet. That was part of his charm.
And where the true danger lay.
Nate understood Kaz’s game now a little better than most. How he used tricks and manipulation tactics to get what he wanted. Making you feel seen and important? Just another strategy meant to maneuver a person right where Kaz wanted them.
Screwing him when he’d been wasted that night at the bar had been meant to humiliate Nate. It’d been retribution for losing the race. Things should have ended there, and Nate honestly didn’t understand why they hadn’t, but it was clear Kazimir’s visit to his place of work had been more about him testing the waters than any actual belief he’d had Nate would agree to date him.
