He laughed. “Yes and no. It’s because we are good friends, and he respects me. As I do him. If you two want to be together, then I welcome you as my future sister-in-law rather than my bride.”
I gave him a smirk. “You were never going to marry me.”
He laughed loudly. “You’re right. I adore you, but it wasn’t love.”
I opened my arms to hug him. “Thank you for telling me.”
“I wish I could say the same.” He chuckled as he wrapped me in his arms. I smacked his back.
When we let go of each other, he offered his hand for me to get up. I did and then helped him. He brushed off his pants, but the expensive material would need dry cleaned and prayers to get clean.
“How many souls does he need?” I asked Arsenio as we walked back to the theater.
“He didn’t say. He asked me for any leads. Easy marks.” He tilted his head to and fro. “I didn’t have many people I knew that needed work done, but I gave him some numbers. Desiderio is good at what he does. He may be the youngest of our group, but he’s easily the most dangerous.”
“Sloth?” I laughed. I shook my head, incredulous. “Every time I think I have you guys pegged, I learn something new and have to start all over.”
“I think I’ve told you before that Desiderio is dangerous.” His expression darkened.
“You have. It was the girls. Aleida and Una. They told me about Ludovica. She’s one of you, isn’t she?”
Arsenio’s cheek twitched, but he didn’t answer.
That was an absolute yes.
“Desi didn’t say either, which tells me I’m onto you. You guys both go ghost when it comes to that stuff.”
“For good reason. Outsiders shouldn’t know anything about us.”
“But they know,” I accused. As we reached the large glass windows, I motioned with my thumb at the girls watching us from inside.
“They think they know.” His eyes flared, and I shivered. That was exactly what Desi had said.
Arsenio stopped me from going inside with a hand on my shoulder. He urged me to turn. I did and looked up. He smiled kindly.
“Ignore them. Let the women in there think what they want. Let us— letThe Seven Sins,” he paused for emphasis. “Take care of things. If they ask for Desiderio, tell them he is doing something for me. Do not elaborate any further. Do you understand me?” He put his hands on both of my shoulders and squeezed gently but firmly. I swallowed and nodded.
“I know about you two but continue to keep it quiet. As far as they are concerned, you and Desiderio are coworkers and nothing else. Smile and pretend you don’t care. Can you do that?”
He squeezed me again. “Yes. Fine. I get it. It’s a secret.”
“Yes.” He dropped his hands and grinned at me. “Alright, I have things to do. You go sit in your office and draw or whatever you do all day.”
I laughed and crossed my arms. “I work!” I protested.
“Sure, just about as much as Desiderio, huh?”
He turned and started toward his car. I shook my head and hurried inside.
“Are you okay? I hope you’re not mad I called him.” Aleida called to me as I walked through the lobby. “I figured he could help.”
I gave them a fake smile and stepped up to the counter. “He did! Thanks!”
Suddenly I was hit with the strong scent of cinnamon. I squinted in confusion. I sniffed, and Aleida grinned. She raised her lips and flashed the red candy just like Desi did all the time.
“He’s got me hooked on them,” she giggled.
I gave her the fakest giggle back and then did exactly what Arsenio had told me to do. Go back and draw something.
