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We both laughed and he had a good point. “I thought I’d ask.”
“I’m curious as to why.”
“I have my reasons.”
“Finding a man’s weakness often gives you the most powerful sword you can use. Yes?” He had a twinkle in his eyes.
“Absolutely. It was one of the man things my father taught me.”
The door was suddenly nudged open, Max racing in followed by Dillon, the kid’s eyes opening wide as soon as he did. Confusion rocked his face then a few seconds of horror as if his mother had told him to stay away from me. My jaw clenched because I genuinely adored the little boy, more so than I should.
The memories being close to him brought were ones I’d tried to shove aside. I wasn’t the kind of man to believe in karma or fate, but the constant ache of losing so much in my past had me questioning most of my beliefs. Yes, I was a bastard, but this amazing little boy didn’t deserve to learn the kind of world that surrounded him. Not yet anyway.
“Hey, little man. Whatcha doing?” As I’d done before, I crouched down to his level, something I knew usually helped given the time I’d spent with my nephew. The moment I reached out and touched him, Georgia entered the room.
“Dillon. Are you… There you are.” She lifted her head, standing up as straight as possible, stopping just inside the doorway for a few seconds. The way she shifted her gaze from Diego back to me hinted of recognition. “I’m sorry. He got away from me. It won’t happen again.” She stormed forward, jerking Dillon into her arms. “Come, Max. We’re not wanted here.” Spinning around quickly, she headed for the door, getting in her usual hateful glare as she waited for the pup to comply.
I held my breath, admiring her fiery beauty more than I had before. Max whined, his tail swishing back and forth as he looked at me. The pup was waiting for my approval. All I had to do was nod and he trotted away.
She slammed the door after that and almost instantly I heard Dillon start to cry. The sound caused a strange reaction, aggravation that she’d pull him away from me.
Diego exhaled and walked in front of me, his face highlighting both his surprise and if I knew the man well enough, a hint of admiration. “She’s a dead ringer for the blonde I once saw Rico with years ago. Although I must admit, I appreciate a redheaded woman more than a blonde. If I had to guess, I’d say you’re playing with fire, my friend. I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Didn’t you learn the best way to end a battle is by use of a woman?”
“So my brother has told me, something I still don’t buy. What I do know is that Rico doesn’t like to lose.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“He’ll kill her in front of you and his son. After that, you’ll never see the boy again. I’d think about that given how you obviously care about both of them.”
I lifted my glass to my lips, laughing over the rim. “They are a means to an end.”
“I’ve also heard that before with my brother as well. I assure you that beautiful women have a way of getting under your skin. She’s more dangerous than your enemies, Sabatino, because you’re already falling for her.”
“I’m not falling for her, Diego. I’m using her. There is a distinct difference.”
He slowly walked toward me, offering the same kind of knowing expression I’d seen on my brother’s face once too often. “The fine line between using and caring is similar to the ones between love and hate or good and bad. We are the kind of men who walk back and forth across whatever line is necessary, including the line of blood in the sand. What I’m telling you is that the greatest enemy of all isn’t a brutal savage like Rico Garcia. It’s the monster lurking inside, a predator who is hungry for everything he’s been missing. And once you take a single taste, opening Pandora’s Box, there is no going back.”
“That sounds like experience.”
“Do you know how my brother ended up with the woman of his dreams?”
“I’ve heard rumors,” I said, unable to keep from grinning.
“He stole my fiancée at the altar while imprisoning me in a cinder block cell.”
“Now that’s one way of getting the woman you love.”
Diego shook his head, laughing softly. “My twin brother was certain he could easily let her go, only using her to get to me. He was very wrong. Now I have a niece and nephew. They have a perfect little family sharing all the holidays and birthdays, acting as if one day it couldn’t all come crashing down. It’s something I keep in the back of my mind.”
“Noted, Diego. As I said, I’m using her. Nothing more.” The twinge in my gut was a reminder that I was possibly lying to myself, although I certainly had no intention of admitting that to a basic stranger. “Thank you for stopping by.”
“I have an idea, an offer.”
“Okay. You have me curious.” I took a gulp of my drink, watching as he rubbed his jaw. I could almost see myself friends with the man. He was as fiercely loyal to his family as he was a dangerous predator. And he didn’t mince words.
“Dante and I will need to handle Rico our own way. He will not declare Los Angeles as his own. That means he’s likely to remain on the West Coast, doing nothing more than sending his men to Baltimore to keep you running and on edge.”
