Elias realized she didn’t know, and why would she? It wasn’t a big deal. “Technically, he was the only ‘true’ in-law.”
“What?”
“Marco and I are double cousins.”
“Your moms are sisters. Your dads are…cousins?”
“Right. So we’re first and second cousins.”
She laughed. “That’s kind of cool. But I guess I get it. He felt like the odd man out; not being related to anyone outside of marriage and moving away made his son the odd kid out.”
“Exactly. Then he started doing ridiculous shit, making himself the odd man out. At first, we thought he was acting out, going through a change after his dad died. It took me a few years to realize my zia is like the serpent that whispered to Eve.”
“I’m sorry.”
Elias tilted his head at her. “Why?”
“Because it bothers you. You feel bad about excluding him when you were kids, but I don’t think it would have made a difference. Not if she was feeding him poison.”
“I feel bad for the kid he was, but I don’t feel bad for him now. I tolerate him until he irritates me.” He shook his head. “Enough about that. You’re an only child?”
“...yes.”
He caught the hesitation but decided not to question it. He knew she likely wouldn’t tell him and he changed the subject.
By the time eleven o’clock rolled around, they’d had takeout, watched a movie, she’d pretended to be annoyed with him, and she still hadn’t heard from Mickey. Elias was sure it would be tomorrow before she did.
“You can stay here tonight,” he told her as she yawned. “I have a spare room.”
“I don’t think I have a choice but to take you up on that.”
He led her to the guest room, leaving her for a few minutes to retrieve something for her to sleep in from his room. When he brought it back to her, she was removing her earrings.
“Here you go. Everything else you’ll need is in the bathroom. There are spare toothbrushes under the sink, and I’m across the hall if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I do because you could have easily left me to deal with the problem myself.”
“I could have,” he started, tipping her chin up. “If I were some young ass boy who didn’t care about your safety and well-being, but I’m not. Do me a favor and remember that.” He didn’t allow her to respond as he brushed his thumb across her cheek. “Goodnight, Eri.”
He left, checking the front door and turning the lights off before entering his bedroom. He needed a cold shower. Going at her pace always tested his patience, and tonight had been no different.
2
Eri shifted as sleep faded, and with it came the realization that she wasn’t lying on a soft mattress. She slowly opened her eyes and was met with a tan chest that housed a tattoo with intricate wings. She furrowed her brow in confusion because the last thing she remembered was falling asleep in Elias’ guest room.
Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her. She must have sleepwalked the previous night. It would happen now and then if she had a strange dream or something in the dream made her feel afraid or threatened. Her body would seek safety, according to her therapist. If that was the case, then it meant she felt like he was safe.
Eri mentally cursed herself, wondering how she would escape this without waking him? What would she say if she did? If she moved slowly, she might be able to get off of him and hightail it out of his room before waking him. That would have been a solid plan if not for the weight of his arm draped over her. Maybe he was a heavy sleeper, and he wouldn’t notice his limb moving without his direction. Her escape could have been much easier if it weren’t for that.
“Damn you, Elias,” she whispered.
“What exactly did I do, Amate?”
She startled at the sound of his voice and quickly sat up. It never crossed her mind that he would already be awake. Looking down at him, she realized for the first time that shewas straddling him. How that had gotten past her initially was anyone’s guess.
