“How’s your little girlfriend?” he asked sipping his second drink.
“None of your fucking business.” Somehow the alcohol consumption throughout the night had helped keep my emotions at bay.
He turned fully to face me and after a couple of seconds of silence, I looked up to find his gaze glued to my wrist. I followed his gaze to the leather band—a permanent fixture I only removed to shower. When I lifted my eyes again, and although I couldn’t read Remo’s expression, it lacked the usual arrogance.
“Did Lorenzo tell you where he got that?” He pointed to the band.
“His grandfather.” I shrugged, taking a sip of my drink.
“I’ve never seen my brother take it off. Ever. He’d never leave home without it. He believed it gave him my grandfather’s blessing. In our world, I guess we need some reassurance we’d live to see the next day.” Unsure if that was wistfulness in his tone, I smirked.
He downed his drink and studied the empty glass before looking at me. “In all the time I’ve been at my brother’s side, and that’s been a long fucking time. I was sure there was nothing in the world that could get to Lorenzo.” He stared at me, his expression blank. “But you did.”
I frowned, wondering why the man even bothered to speak to me. Our history wasn’t exactly a nostalgic one. He would’ve probably cut me up and fed me to the sharks if he’d gotten the chance. “What do you mean? It’s just a leather band.”
He leaned closer. “No, Rayden.” It was the first time he’d actually addressed me by name instead of something crass. “That tells me there’s nothing my brother wouldn’t do to protect you.”
Confused, I shook my head. “I haven’t seen Lorenzo in years.”
His laugh was almost inaudible as he stood and set some money on the counter. “A ghost is not necessarily a dead person.” His words surprised the shit out of me and I took a minute to process the meaning behind it. He moved to walk away, and I stopped him.
“What do you mean?”
He half-turned. “Save your tears, boy, sometimes people leave your life because they would’ve fucked it up, if they stayed.” Then he was gone. His large frame striding through the exit before I could even grasp his meaning. Was he referring to Lorenzo? Wait. How did he know I’d been crying my ass off? Did he know Zena was dead? If he did, why would he ask about her?
“Whoever the fuck that guy was, he’s one scary motherfucker and that’s just from looking at him. Austin arrived at my side, his face riddled with questions similar to how my brain felt. Although I smiled, it didn’t quite reach my eyes. I was still baffled by Remo’s appearance, more so his last words. “Fuck this shit, Ray, we’re getting the fuck out of here and you’re coming to Africa with me.”
“What?”
“You heard me, dude. I’m dragging your ass to Africa and there’s fuck all you’re going to do about it, except get your ass on a plane.”
Laughing at his comical look of bravado, I stood. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 29
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