“Because I knew you would freak out.” I pull him over to the side so we aren’t in the way of the families celebrating and taking pictures. “And then you’d go all big brother on me and demand to have him investigated.”
“Of course I would’ve,” Lorenzo agrees. “Because I am your big brother, and with our parents gone, I’m the only one left to protect you. You don’t understand, Dani.” He shakes his head. “You’ve been sheltered your entire life?—”
“I think that’s enough,” Henry says, stepping into the conversation. “Your sister is a smart woman who is capable of making her own choices, and she chose to marry me.”
The truth is, getting married to Henry wasn’t planned. One minute, we had been in Colorado, during spring break—after I told him I loved to go skiing with my parents—and the next, he was asking me to marry him. We had both been drinking, and I didn’t realize he meant literally right there, in Colorado, but I got caught up in the moment and agreed. That’s why I only have a wedding band and not an engagement ring … because there was no engagement.
In my defense, Henry has been nothing short of amazing. But the quickness of the marriage is what caused me to keep it a secret. Because I knew Lorenzo wouldn’t approve, especially when I’m still struggling with it.
Don’t get me wrong. I care about Henry. I think I might even love him. But I often question if I married him because I needed him to fill the void I’d felt since losing my parents. And if that’s the case, is that reason enough to marry someone?
At the time, he swept me off my feet, moving so fast that I could barely breathe, but once the high wore off, I realized how little I knew about him.
Lorenzo’s jaw tics, and I know he’s holding back when he simply nods. “So, what are your plans now that you’ve graduated? You said you wanted to move home to work for the family company. Is that still true?”
“Yes,” I tell him. “Nothing has changed. I can’t wait to learn the ropes and spend more time with you and finally meet your fiancée.”
Lorenzo smiles a genuine smile at the mention of his fiancée. I’ve yet to meet her, but I’ve seen her a few times when Lorenzo and I video-chatted, and she seemed nice. They’ve moved in together, and she’s working as his assistant at the office after his former one left unexpectedly.
“How is that going to work with you two?” Lorenzo glances at Henry pointedly. “You moving to Harbor Point with my sister?”
“Actually,” I say, turning his attention back to me since I can feel the hostility vibrating through him, “it turns out, his family has a business in Harbor Point, so we’ll be moving back together. I already canceled my lease, and Henry found us a place in North Harbor Point. We’re all packed and moving tomorrow.”
“What did you say your last name was?” Lorenzo asks Henry.
“Thomas,” I tell him. “Henry Thomas.”
Lorenzo nods and then plasters a smile on his face. “Well, Henry Thomas, welcome to the family.”
5
Matteo
“That’s it.Watch his movements. Don’t give him an in. Fight smarter, not harder.”
I let Lucian’s words flow through me, despite them not being for me, as I circle my opponent, getting a feel for him.
Jeremy is new to Lucian’s Gym, and Lucian wanted to see what the kid had, so he asked me to spar with him. He’s young and in shape, but that doesn’t mean he’ll make a good fighter. My brother is in shape, and I’d make his ass tap out any day of the week.
I observe him for a few more seconds and then make my move. He sees it coming and defends himself, but he’s not experienced, so when I pull a fake on him and clock him in the jaw over the protective helmet, he stumbles back, his ass hitting the floor.
“All right, that’s enough,” Lucian says. “You have potential,” he says to Jeremy, “but we have a long way to go.”
The kid beams with pride, and I know exactly how he feels. Getting complimented by Lucian doesn’t come often, so when it does, you feel like you’re on top of the world. Because, unlike most people, he genuinely cares.
If it wasn’t for him pulling me off Anthony all those years ago, I don’t even want to think about where I’d be. Sure, I have my brother, but when Andrey was alive, Dominick didn’t have a say, and it was Lucian who kept my head on straight.
It was Lucian who was there when I dropped out at sixteen and my dad threw me onto the streets, telling me I didn’t deserve to be an Antonov.
It was Lucian who spent day after day teaching me how to regulate my emotions, how to control my anger and frustration.
It was Lucian who taught me how to work smarter and not harder.
He’s the reason why the Antonovs not only run the business world, but we’re also a force to be reckoned with in the underworld. Instead of fighting against who I was, I used it to my advantage and became one of the most feared and respected men in South Florida.
“Hey, Matteo,” Lucian says, jogging toward me before I can make it to the locker room to shower and get ready for work. “Some city official came by the other day, talking shit about updates and permits.” He hands me the paperwork and shrugs. “I’m not sure what all this means, but …”
“I’ll handle it,” I tell him, patting his shoulder.
