Another wild hit, and only Heath’s preternatural speed saved him from another chin check. Dominic had definitely been teaching the mage how to work with the limitations of his body. He may not have been a wolf, but he fought just like one.
“I know you’re mad.”
“Mad?” Lorenzo stalked Heath, backing him into the driveway of his one-story house. “I was mad when you called. I was mad when you sent me that fucking piece-of-shit message. But now? Now I’m fucking … ugh. You broke her fucking heart, man. She shattered to gods damned pieces in my arms thinking you were gone.”
Lorenzo had tears in his eyes, and Heath knew, without a doubt, he’d broken Lorenzo too. He’d blown his friends into pieces as they mourned his death. It had probably driven Lorenzo crazy to shield Cin from the truth that Heath was alive.
Heath stopped, letting Lorenzo land a hit right on his temple. “I’m sorry.”
A vein bulged in Lorenzo’s forehead as he pummeled Heath with all the pent-up anger he could muster. He struck body and chest blows until he rested his head in the center of Heath’s chest and bawled.
Heath wrapped his arms around his friend, the only thing he could think to do, and held him while he cried. “I’m so fucking sorry.”
“You could have told me anything. Anything. I was jealous of you at first. Cin had stars in her eyes every time she looked at you, but I knew I could give her what you never could. I love her with everything inside me, and I had to pick up her pieces.”
Heath gripped Lorenzo harder. “There was no better man for the job.”
After a moment, Lorenzo sniffed and stepped back. He looked away, his face red and his eyes swimming in unshed tears. “Did you fix it? Did you find what you were looking for?”
Yes, but Heath would be working for years to repair the damage left behind. Romano wouldn’t forget almost losing his mate. Dominic would always be watching him. Heath may have gained his past and found his Foraltae, but he would have to win back the trust of the Lombardi Pack, if it were even possible.
But he’d have to start with Lorenzo.
No matter what Heath did, if Lorenzo hated him, nothing else would ever matter.
“I did. I know it’s not going to take any of this shit away, but I learned what really happened. I know now who I am and I don’t have to hide anymore. But I can’t do this, I can’t come back, without you.”
Lorenzo finally looked at him. “You were my best friend.”
Were. Past tense. “Yeah.”
“I don’t know if you are anymore.”
Heath sighed. “I have to accept that.”
“Is this how you really look?”
“Yes.”
“How old are you?”
“Ninety-four.”
“Fuck.”
Well, yeah. He’d been acting like he was a teenager when he hung out with Cin and Lorenzo. He could see how that could be a mind-blowing moment.
“I’m … happy Dominic didn’t kill you.”
Heath laughed, but it wasn’t a joyous one. “Yeah. Me too.”
Lorenzo studied him for a moment. “You’re not so angry anymore. You used to always have this chip on your shoulder, you know? Never knew what would set you off.”
“Finding my other half and getting knocked on my ass did that for me.”
Lorenzo snorted. “Yeah, I could see that.” He looked back toward the house. “Cin isn’t here. She’s traveling for a couple of weeks for her jewelry to different portal cities. She’s in New Orleans right now.”
“Her stuff really took off, then. Good.”
