Chapter 21
Vincestepped out onto the back stoop, away from prying eyes and nosy neighbors. He had spotted a fresh pot of coffee but ignored it. This talk was more important that a caffeine fix. He was sure there would be some yelling and more fists thrown, and he didn’t need Fiona trying to run to the rescue again or breaking Ortiz’s cups.
He’d been terrified when Fiona had stepped in front of him when Ortiz had been wailing on him, not that he hadn’t deserved it. He’d been caught sleeping with his best friends’ sister. Any brother would be upset. He didn’t let Ortiz’s threat of ending their friendship rattle him. Ortiz was as hotheaded as the rest of his family and said a lot shit he didn’t mean when upset. Or at least, that’s what he was telling himself.
If Ortiz was really wanting to end their friendship, it could compromise the team and one of them might be forced to leave it. He hoped that never happened. This had been his team for the past six years. They were more family than his own.
“I know I fucked up,”Vincesaid as Ortiz stepped out and closed the door quietly behind him. Ortiz walked past him to stand in the driveway. He needed his space. “I should have talked to you first.”
“We shouldn’t be having this conversation at all,” Ortiz snapped, pacing back and forth.
Ortiz didn’t get upset often but when he did, all feared him. Even his friends. Tony had made the mistake of taking one of his cookies before and got beat up as a result.
“You’re right. I broke a sacred code, but it’s not one I regret.” Ortiz stopped pacing and glared at him. “I do love your sister. When I met her four years ago, I knew she was different than any other woman I had met before. I stayed away from her, knowing I was never good enough for her. I wasn’t ready to be tied down to one woman, but I never stopped wanting her.”
“So that makes it okay?” Ortiz replied tightly. IfVincehoped that confession would appease Ortiz, he was mistaken.
“Not even a little. I tried staying away from her the past few days. I told her I wasn’t good enough for her.”
“You’re not,” Ortiz interjected. “Not even close.”
Vincewas aware of his shortcomings when it came to Fiona and knew he would never be seen as equal in her parents’ eyes. They would assume he was cheating on her at every turn. They would whisper in Fiona’s ear when he was on assignment and try to turn her against him, but it wasn’t enough of a deterrent.
He had warned Fiona this would happen, but she still stood by him. She had even stood up to her brother, defending him, and he wasn’t willing to give her up. “No, but she chose me and I’m not willing to give her up.”
Ortiz stood in his face; he was only a few inches taller than him, butVincewasn’t intimidated. He had held back in fighting with him to spare Fiona, but he would hold nothing back now. He knew Ortiz’s weak spots.
“You would alienate her from her own family?”
“They would be alienating themselves, not the other way around. I would move heaven and earth for her to make her happy.”
“And if it’s you out of her life?” There was a challenge in Ortiz’s eye thatVincemet head on. He somehow knew the answer to this question would make a difference in persuading Ortiz.
“Only Fiona can make that decision. She has complained numerous times that people keep making decisions for her; I’m not doing that.”
Ortiz stood down and started pacing in the driveway, pulling out another cookie to eat. “I’m not going to lie, man, I’m not happy about this at all.”
“I get that.” And he did. He knew getting involved with Fiona would have its risks.
“But…” Hope began to rise inVince’s chest that his friendship wasn’t completely over. “If she is going to be with someone, I’m glad it’s someone I know and trust.”
“I won’t ever give you reason to doubt that. She’s it for me.”
“Better be, or my sisters, who are ten times worse than me, will come after you.”
Vinceshuddered. Fiona’s family would skewer him without a second thought if they thought he was two-timing Fiona. “I’ll never give them reason to.”Vincesaid sincerely.
“Then welcome to the family.” Ortiz held his hand out.Vinceeasily took it, bringing Ortiz in for a hug.
“That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,”Vinceadmitted. He’d expected a lot more fighting.
Ortiz laughed, clapping him on the back. “You still have to meet the family.”
“I already have.” Once had been more than enough. If he and Fiona were going to date though, he better get used to them.
“As a friend, not as Fiona’s boyfriend.” An evil gleam came into Ortiz’s eyes that madeVince’s palms sweat.
Vincegulped. He wasn’t excited for that at all. He’d rather be sent out into the desert behind enemy lines and take on heavy fire than face her family.
