“He’ll share his actions with me, not you. Now, sit down and be quiet.”
I didn’t have to look at him to know that every nerve in Lucas’s face would be doing a jig.
When Stan tucked me onto his lap, I wept—with relief. He jostled me a bit, because he wasn’t a wizard, but god, the tension in me immediately abated.
I wasn’t like this. But this version of me had dealt with much too much in the past few days and I’d reached the end of my tether.
Next week, I’d return to busting balls like a pro. Now, I needed my family to cut me some slack and for Stan to hold me like he never intended on letting me go.
“You shouldn’t have gone to the hospital today.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Even aliunissaneeds a day off.”
“Right, Custanzu,” Ma declared, perching on the edge of the coffee table so she could pat my knee. “Maybe you’ll give me some answers.”
“Of course, ma’am.” I felt the tension rush through him like he’d been hit with a lightning bolt. “One of my… your equivalent is a crew, betrayed me. He abducted Kitty from my home and…” He swallowed. “Your daughter is a fighter. You should be proud of her.”
Ma narrowed her eyes as she took me in, huddled into Stan’s arms, finally able to relax now that I had distance from the noise and the crowds and the city itself.
“I’m always proud of my children, Custanzu. What’s happening with the man who betrayed you?”
“I’m sure you can imagine, ma’am,” he deadpanned.
“I’m sure I can’t.” Her head tilted to the side. “Custanzu. Sicilian. I don’t know much about your people, boy, but I’m pretty sure you’re high up the ranks.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said calmly, respectfully,perfectly.
“I assume blood will be shed.”
“Every bruise that he meted out will be repaid. Four times over.”
“Good, good.” It was easy to forget that Ma could be bloodthirsty too… “Now, why didn’t you bring her home?”
“Ma!”
Both ignored me and he remarked, “I believe because she didn’t want you to hate me.”
“And that would matter why?”
“Because we’re rather serious about one another.”
Ma clucked her tongue. “I’ve never heard her mention you before. Kitty likes those—what do you call them, Neev?”
“Pricks?”
“Language, girlie. Don’t think you can get around me by using Irish curses!”
“Finance bros,” Raisin mumbled then agreed with Neev. “But they’re less bros and more pricks.”
“Girls!” Ma stopped fiddling with her crucifix. “Are you a finance bro, Stan?”
He grimaced. “No, ma’am.”
“So, how did you two meet?”
“The hospital,” he said earnestly.
Raisin straightened up at that. “I knew it!”
“RAISIN,” Ma barked. “Watch your tongue!” To Stan, she ordered, “Explain.”
