Page 67 of One Breath After Another

Luca’s brow dipped. “Time for what?”

“To make a decision. College or the family business?”

Ah, there it was.

“You have to figure out where your priorities are,” Zeke added, repeating the same thing with the usual tone-deafness that Luca had come to expect from his father when it came to things that were important to his son. “You’re spread thin ... it’s starting to show in little ways. You have to decide whether you want to be a lawyer or a made man. Hell, your mother and I haven’t even seen you in a month.”

“Why I can’t be both?”

Because that was all Luca heard in his father’s statements. That there was no option for both in his case. He could only be one or the other. The thing was ... he wasn’t big on being told no or what he could or couldn’t do. It only encouraged him to try harder in that respect.

Or to just do it for the hell of it.

Out of spite, even.

“Do you really think—”

“Has he been handling all of it?” came a new—but familiar—voice.

Luca hadn’t even noticed Cross’s approach until the man was right there, standing next to Zeke. Except, the boss of the Donati famiglia didn’t even bother looking his way. Instead, he stared at Luca’s father, waiting for the answer to the question he asked.

Zeke’s jaw flexed. “Cross—”

“Is he, friend?”

“I’m not sure I would say he’s handling it all ... or not well,” Zeke clarified. “He’s behind in every aspect.”

Ouch.

“Mostly school,” Luca admitted when Cross glanced his way. “Work, not so much.”

That was a priority. It had to be because people—like Naz—depended on Luca to be where they needed him to be when they wanted him there. He made sure his friend never had to wonder what he was doing. If he said he would do shit, then he was there to do it when he promised he would.

His word was everything.

Sometimes, it felt like it was the only thing he had left.

“So, he’s doing what he’s supposed to, then,” Cross said, shrugging when Zeke gave the man a look that voiced his displeasure silently. “He is, Zeke, by all accounts. As long as others aren’t suffering where he isn’t right on the ball, then you can’t say he’s hurting anyone but himself.”

“Maybe that is what I’m worried about. Did you consider that before you decided to step in on a private conversation between my son and I?”

Ah, shit.

Awkward.

Cross and Zeke stared one another down, years of friendship passing between the two quiet men as they considered each other. Even Luca knew they were having a conversation—one without words—that he wasn’t privy to. They had been doing this same thing for years. This wasn’t new.

Spinning the black onyx ring on his finger, Cross eventually broke the silence first, murmuring to Zeke, “I understand your frustrations—with me and him—but sometimes I don’t think you hear the damage you do with your words. They hear a lot more than they see or speak, Zeke. And if he hasn’t actually failed at managing the life he’s chosen, then you shouldn’t tell him he will before it’s even happened. You’re manifesting destiny. Let him hear it enough, and he’ll do exactly what you say he will.”

“Cross—”

“He’s not like the rest of them. He’s not Rosalynn, or Naz ... or me and you. He is him. Let him figure out what works for him,” Cross said, finally letting go of his ring to open his arms wide. “Even if it’s not the path you might have taken in his shoes. The same way we were allowed to do as young men. Fair?”

Zeke sighed, nodding once. “Fair.”

Was that ... it?

Cross moved to step away, but stopped only long enough to hear Luca say, “Thanks.”