AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I sent a quick text to my brothers about the change in plans.
Me: Let Mom know I’ll have a plus-one at dinner tonight.
Alessandro was quick to respond, and I reread his punch-to-the-gut words.
Alessandro: Have you lost your mind? You want to put her in harm’s way? Why?
He was right. I had lost my mind.
Constantine: We can keep her safe. If he wants her with him, then so be it.
I wasn’t expecting that answer from Constantine, and part of me had hoped my eldest brother would knock some sense into me, because he was probably the only one I’d listen to. Well, aside from Maria, so it would seem.
Me: Can you have my car waiting for me at the airport? I want to swing by my place to grab some stuff before I head to Mom and Dad’s.
Constantine: Yeah, but there’s been a change in plans for this unexpected family reunion. We’re going to stay at our place in Oyster Bay instead. It’s more secure.
Me: You’re making sure Izzy is coming, too, right?
Constantine: Of course. But she’s bringing her boyfriend.
Alessandro: Boyfriend? She does realize we’re all going to interrogate him, right?
Constantine: I promised we wouldn’t. Only way I could get her to agree.
Alessandro: Fuck that. I didn’t promise.
Constantine: Focus that anger elsewhere, like on finding Bianca’s killer.
Alessandro: Yeah, sure. And hell, if this is turning into a party, I should bring a plus-one, too.
Constantine: Be serious.
Alessandro: You know me. Humor and copious amounts of sex are my coping mechanisms. Well, so the shrink says.
Since when did he see a therapist?
Constantine: We need to focus. Did Jesse give you the name?
Me: Not yet. I’ll have it by this evening, though.
Constantine’s slow reply meant he regretted not flying down to get the information from Jesse himself.
Constantine: I’ll find Carter and get it from him if I have to.
From the sound of it, that wasn’t a fight I was eager to see. And we needed to be on the same side. Jesse was right.
I looked over at Maria, and her eyes met mine. That sinking feeling in my stomach came back.
Me: Tell me one more time I’m not crazy for bringing her with me.
Alessandro: I can’t do that. You are.
Constantine: Just do what you think is right. You always do.
What I always do? That would be the opposite of bringing Maria with me today. I pocketed my phone, unsure if I really knew what was the right decision. But Maria somehow had me breaking my own rules at every turn. And after that kiss this morning—
“You’re sure about this?” Ryan asked, cutting off my thoughts.
