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“I guess you could call it that. I’ve never been good with labels, but yeah.”
Cisco nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I see. And how does that work?”
I chuckled. “Hell if I know. If you find out, could you let me know?”
Cisco’s low chuckle was rich and full of warmth. “I’ll do my best, Lotto. I’ll do my best.”
He shifted in his seat, wincing slightly as he did so. I could see the pain etched into his features, the lines on his face deeper than they had been moments before. Despite the pain, he seemed determined to have this conversation, to make things right before it was too late.
“I know it’s not my place to judge, Lotto, and I’m not trying to. I just met this Ari girl, and I haven’t met the other guy, but I need to know that you’ll take care of my boy. That you’ll be there for him when I can’t be. Keep being the spine.”
“I promise, Cisco. I promise.” I kept my words firm and steady.
He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Good. That’s all I need to hear.”
We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our conversation hanging heavy in the air. Despite the sadness, there was a sense of peace. Death was a part of life, but losing a parent was never an easy thing. Never.
We both glanced toward the door as the doctor stood with a clipboard in hand and a grave look on his face. “Do you have a minute, Mr. Vega? Can we talk?”
“Yeah…” Cisco straightened with his jaw clenched. Seeing him so scared made my heart beat a whole lot faster. “Come in.”
The doctor stepped in through the door and glanced down at his clipboard. “I hate to have to tell you this, but your insurance doesn’t cover the treatment that we discussed earlier, and only a small percentage of the medications. There aren’t generics of many of those prescribed. And without the treatment, there really is not much we can do.” He paused. “And to be honest, I’m not sure if the treatment would be effective with the spread. I see you’re already on hospice, and home health has been assigned. So at least you are taken care of there… We’re going to have to send you home.”
My heart fell to the floor. I might not be a medical expert, but I did know that if Cisco went home in his condition, and he didn’t get any treatment, he might not survive much longer.
And from the acceptance on Cisco’s face, it seemed he realized the same thing.
Chapter 30
Ari
“Bones is getting weighed and prepped for the fight. I’m going to go find the promoters and then him,” Frankie said as he got up to leave the waiting room we had been assigned.
“I’ll go with you.”
He shook his head. “Stay. This place is a fucking viper’s den. I’d feel better if you remain in the room.”
I took in the worn-out furniture and faded posters on the walls in this small space. It was a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of what a typical green room would be at a higher-class venue, but we really couldn’t be choosy at this point.
Frankie regarded me, his expression stern. I knew that look; it was the one he got right before he unleashed a torrent of words. I didn’t want to hear it.
I got up from my seat, my mind made up. “I’m not staying here.”
“You are, and this is the last time we’re doing low-rent dumps like this,” Frankie declared, walking from one side of the room to the next. “I mean it, Ari.”
“They all can’t be like Heathens Hollow. We need to take all the venues we can.”
“Fuck that. I’m over places like this. We’re above this. And after Bones dominates in Heathens Hollow, everyone’s going to know it.”
He was getting fired up, which never led to anything good. Frankie needed the flames inside to be extinguished, and luckily, I knew how to do it.
A distraction.
“You’re sexy when you get like this,” I said.
“Ari,” he warned.
“What? It’s true.”
I yanked him back toward me, pulling him in for a deep, erotic kiss, nipping at his bottom lip. I knew him well, inside and out, and I still wanted him. Even the darker sides that laced all the good. I understood his mistakes. I got where he was coming from, and I still wanted to be with him. None of that bothered me at all. When it came to Smiley’s and business, he’d grown, matured, and all I really cared about was the man Frankie was today.
Rage and fiery temper and all.
But when it came to me, and my body… I wanted the man with the dark edges. I wanted the devil inside of him to emerge. I craved his black and wanted him to soil my white.
