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We both knew a drunk Cameron was a combative one.
Knowing Aislynn was already worried about her father starting a fight at the reception, I decided to poke at my cousin’s protective instincts. Subtlety worked well with Cameron, but in certain situations, the best option was to beat him with the right choice.
“Lots of shady fucks here tonight,” I said innocently. “Who will protect your bride if you get too drunk?”
Cameron twisted, glaring at me, and I fought my smile. “I’m not drunk. I’m numbing myself. Unless you want me to kill him tonight.”
Though my life would’ve been easier without Joaquin, I declined. We’d managed to make it through the wedding and dinner without a fight. I was hoping to continue the streak. “That would be one hell of a way to celebrate, but I’d prefer to end the day without bloody clothes.”
“Hence the drink.”
“What if it’s not what Aislynn needs, though?” My cousin’s face lightened at the mention of his wife, and I pushed forward, hoping to get him to listen. And if I embellished a little, I knew Ash would forgive me. “She needs you now more than ever. She needs you to guard her and protect her from her family, and she needs you to make sure she’s taken care of. That’s your only goal for tonight. Take care of the bride.”
“But he?—”
“Is tomorrow’s problem,” I interrupted. “Focus on your bride, Cameron. She’s all that matters.”
He didn’t like it, but he didn’t have to. Everything I said was the truth. This was his wedding too. The last thing he needed to worry about was Marcosa drama.
He lifted his hand, motioning for another drink, and I slammed it down. The server took one look at me and bolted into the crowd.
“What the hell?”
Oh, goodie. He was glaring at me now. “I think you’ve had enough.”
Another glare and a slight snarl. I carefully slid over my untouched glass of water with a single finger. “Take this and go to Aislynn. Try to enjoy the rest of your night. This time tomorrow, you’ll be alone in paradise.”
It was very obviously a command, one he took. Thankfully.
Cameron didn’t look back as he snatched the glass and found his way to his bride. Ash looked relieved that he’d come for her, blushing under her makeup when he wrapped a hand around her waist.
They look perfect. I just hoped they were happy.
I wasn’t alone for long before someone else took my cousin’s place.
Two-Bit had cleaned up for the occasion. Face shaved, hair slicked back; he’d even put on a nice suit. Everything about him spoke of someone’s first taste of having money, all flash and pomp, but it didn’t quite fit him right. I didn’t have an adequate way to describe it, but I got the feeling he was used to more. Like maybe he was comfortable with the finer things in life already.
But how did that happen to a kid who supposedly grew up in the worst parts of the city? The nagging sensation that Two-Bit wasn’t what he seemed poked at me.
“Congratulations on the union,” he said, shaking me out of my thoughts.
“Thanks for coming.” I sipped from the glass Greyson had quietly slipped me before heading back into the crowd, grateful when I discovered it was water. I had no problem letting loose, but an event with every potential enemy besides Cash in the room wasn’t the place for it.
Two-Bit snorted. “Like I’d miss history in the making. Never thought I’d see the day O’Bannon and Marcosa would unite.”
“You’re new. Besides, times change,” I said, wondering what he wanted.
He let the silence stretch, glancing at me before looking across the room. “Yes, they do.”
When his eyes fixed on a certain point, I had to force myself not to react.
Rafael stood next to Cameron and Aislynn, obviously congratulating the couple. He was all smiles, all kindness. It made me very leery. Family or not, I didn’t know my uncle well enough to predict whether he was here as friend or foe.
Nate and Dominic watched him with something like alarm in their eyes, but I didn’t know what the best course of action was.
I hadn’t invited the Osorios. I certainly hadn’t invited Rafael, who had been slinking through Seattle for the last few weeks. He touched base here and there, but in general, he kept his own space, and that was irritating enough.
He had information to give us, and he hadn’t delivered. The longer he dragged it out, the more I wondered if he was playing me. And if he was, what the fuck was he doing in my city?
