Page 95 of Loyalty

“I didn’t do what you think I did, John!”

John pushed his fist against Andino’s chest again. “Fuck you. Thanks for the lesson, man. I needed it.”

“What—”

“This conversation is over, Andi.”

With that, John turned around and headed in the direction of the warehouse’s entrance. Andino should have left it alone, but like the stubborn shit he was, he came after John. His cousin grabbed the back of his jacket, and pulled.

“John, you’re going to talk to me!”

John spun around once more, and didn’t even think about his next actions. He shoved Andino hard enough to send his cousin stumbling back.

Andino righted himself, and glared at John. He made a move like he was going to come forward at John, but didn’t in the end. The two of them were left standing with ridged postures waiting for the other one to make a move.

“That’s what you want to do?” Andino asked.

“No, man,” John said, “but I will if you don’t fuck off. I warned you, so figure it out before you force my hand here.”

“I just want to explain.”

“Your actions told me more than enough, Andino.”

“John, we’re Marcellos. The only people we have to trust in this life is each other. So fuck off with your mood, and give me a chance to tell you how this really went down. Give me that respect—don’t you at least owe me that after everything?”

They’d been friends since Andino was born. His cousin always had his back, no matter what. Andino saved John from himself more times than he could count.

This still left a bad taste in John’s mouth.

“When you were selling me out to Dante about Siena, did you think to mention that chick you’re fucking behind everybody’s backs?” John asked.

Andino stiffened, and his gaze hardened. “Excuse me?”

“Haven—right? That’s her name. You think I don’t know about her?” John smirked and nodded, saying, “Yeah, I heard you were seeing somebody they didn’t approve of given your new position and all. Unlike you, I didn’t go digging in your business, or mention that you were still running around with her despite the fact you’re putting on a good show for them.”

“You don’t know anything about that, or her, John.”

“I know enough to make it hurt.” John pointed a finger at his cousin. “When, or if, I am ready to speak to you, then I will do that. Not one fucking second before. Get that through your thick skull, Andino. I decide when to see you, not the other way around.”

“All right,” Andino said.

“Good.”

“One other thing, though.”

John had all he could do not to punch Andino right in the throat. “What now?”

“You’re ignoring your therapist appointments. Why?”

All over, John felt like someone had dumped ice cold water on him. “I beg your goddamn pardon?”

“You heard what I said.”

“How in the fuck do you even know that?”

Andino glanced away, and shrugged. “I got a friend in with your parole officer. You miss an appointment, and the therapist has to report it. You miss three, and the parole officer has to write you up on it. What, are you trying to get your parole revoked, so you can go back in? Is that what it is?”

Again, someone was checking on his business. Again, someone was trying to stick their fucking nose where it didn’t belong regarding John.