Is this him clinging to his comfort zone, or are his ties to our uncle’s criminal organization keeping him in place?
“Are you staying because Bill is making you?”
“That fucker can’t do anything to me anymore.” Leo bites out the words hard, showing more of his scorn for our father. “Not since we were sixteen.”
I nod absent-mindedly. That’s around when Leo got big enough to hit back.
“Is it because Mom wants you to stay?”
“Stop digging.”
That might be part of it. But I sense there’s more.
Then the answer flares in my mind, so obvious that I should’ve guessed it first. “Uncle Mike won’t give you an out.”
Leo clenches his jaw and stares toward the exit. But he doesn’t walk out. And I know, deep down, he wants my help. But he’s never figured out how to ask for it.
Guess I have to shove it in his face.
Good thing I’m a pushy bitch.
“He let Dash go after he paid whatever price Mike quoted him,” I point out. “I bet he’d do the same for you.”
Leo mutters something, and I lean closer on my stool.
“What was that?”
My brother sighs and rubs a hand over his face. “I’ve already asked.”
“And he said no?”
“No.”
“Then what did he say?”
“He gave me a number.”
A number? That means hope, and the beacon flares scorching hot in my chest. “How much?”
This time, Leo does get up from his chair, slipping cash out of his back pocket.
“I know you love me, Luna.” His voice has lost every note of teasing and cockiness and exasperation. Now he just sounds tired. “But you don’t love me that much. And if it’s all the same, I’d rather not see your face when you realize it.”
My brother heads to the door, shoulders bowed, hands shoved deep in his pockets, the false animation he imbued himself with run dry.
“Asshole,” I mutter into my drink.
He’s naive if he thinks I’m letting this drop because he decided to throw himself a pity party.
Then I remember one more important task. “Leo!”
His heavy sigh could fill the entire bar. “Yeah?”
“What’s Dad’s number?”
That earns me his full attention.
Looking back over his shoulder, he shoots me a disbelieving eyebrow raise. “You want to talk to him?”
