Page 177 of Forbidden Fate

She sniffles again and then heads back into the kitchen. Savannah and Daniela follow her to help. Daniela is studying to be a chef, and Savannah is also a great cook.

I hate cooking, and because I’m still exhausted, even after a shower and short nap at Vinnie and Raven’s, I don’t go to the kitchen. And for once, Mom doesn’t make a snide comment about it.

I eat a chip dipped in guacamole and nearly burst into more tears because it tastes so much like home.

Then I almost choke because…Cruz.

Cruz isn’t here. And I feel like home should include him.

No.

No, no, no.

I need to talk to someone about Cruz. Daniela has emerged from the kitchen with fresh guacamole, so I grab her arm and lead her over to Hawk, who’s looking at his phone.

“I need to talk to you two,” I say, “in private.”

I don’t ask Raven or Vinnie. I love them both, but Raven will feel too much on my behalf, and Vinnie will immediately move into murder mode. Besides, they have Belinda to take care of. Raven is sitting with her looking through a fashion magazine. I don’t ask Falcon either. As much as I love him, he’s an ex-con, and his first instinct will be the same as Vinnie’s.

Hawk is different.

Not softer.

God, no.

Hawk is a blunt instrument with a pulse.

But he’s my brother in a way that feels uncomplicated even when everything else is a mess. He and I understand each other. And Daniela understands things most people don’t. Shame. Fear. Complicated devotion.

I pull the two of them into the smaller sitting room off the side hallway, the one Mom never uses because she says the light is bad.

I close the door.

“What is it?” Hawk asks right away.

Daniela smacks his arm lightly. “Let her breathe first.”

He exhales, but his jaw is still tense. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I say.

Daniela sits on the sofa, and Hawk sits beside her, close enough that their knees touch. I stay standing. If I sit, I might not get back up.

“I need to tell you something.”

Hawk furrows his brow. “About Colombia?”

“Yes.”

He frowns. “About the guy.”

I swallow. “Yes.”

Daniela’s eyes soften.

Hawk leans forward, forearms on his knees. “Cruz? The guy who helped you?”

I nod.