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Aiden growls. “Who is he, Luciana?”
“Before you lose your shit. It is my idea, and I’m the one who wanted to hang out.”
He sighs in frustration. “I’m not going to ask again. I will hunt you down myself and whoever is with you is going to get a dose of my anger, so spit it out.”
“Relax, it’s Alex.”
“Hijo de la chingada, are you out of your mind? Out of all the guys you could have picked, why Alex?” he roars.
I flinch. “Maybe I like Alex. He doesn’t go to our school, and no one has to know. I do have a life, Aiden, and you can’t tell me shit about it.”
“Is it serious?”
“We are just friends and—”
“Are you fucking him?” he snaps.
“That is none of your business. You sound like Mase.”
“Yeah, well, he has always protected you and will always care about you.”
Excellent job he’s done.
“He just couldn’t help himself, could he?” Aiden says.
“What is that supposed to mean? Is it because of his love for Khalani? He loves Khalani but only out of respect for his best friend that died. He knows Khalani is madly in love with you. They were never a thing. He’s happy that you make her happy. Khalani and Linda know all about this and they advised us to tell you. Alex was going to tell you tomorrow after we hung out. He didn’t want to keep it from you out of his respect for you and the Kings.”
“Yeah, but you’re my sister, Lucy. When Mase and the guys find out, they are going to flip the fuck out. And Dad is going to lose his shit too when he finds out.”
“Fuck everyone, Aiden. I can never do shit. You guys can do whatever you want and I’m stuck in a cage. Well, guess what? I have feelings and want to be an adult. Stop treating me like I’m this fragile child.”
“You know what? Fine. If this is what you want, I can only be supportive because judging by how you’re acting tonight, if you’re anything like me, then I have no choice but to let this run its course. But I am going to get this shit out now before it gets worse. Alex is not a forever thing. He is the East Hillside Kings’ gang leader, and that comes first. You understand that, right?”
“Yes, Aiden. I get it. Don’t tell the guys yet, please.”
He is the second person to tell me the same thing about Alex. Why is it that every guy I’m interested in is a problem? A complication. I haven’t been out with the guy and everyone that knows is breathing down my neck and its suffocating.
“Fine, but they will find out, eventually. Dad must know first. If not, he will kill him, Lucy.”
My hands shake because my father is ruthless and will kill Alex for touching me.
“I’ll handle it, sis. I’ll speak to Dad because if it doesn’t come from me, he will make me pay somehow. At least you’re with a King and not some pussy that can’t defend you.”
I snort. “Like I can’t defend myself? Khalani and I have been taking defense classes and going to the gun range for almost a year now.”
If Aiden only knew our father had his hand in training me specifically to aid the family when needed.
“Alright, assassin. Be careful. I’m calling Smiley.” He hangs up.
Fuck, I hope Alex doesn’t get angry with me for telling my brother without giving him a heads-up. The black G-wagon brakes and pulls over, idling. Looking around, I notice we are parked in West Hillside by the designer shops and upscale high-rise condominiums. The lights from the buildings and stores below are reflecting the light off the glass. What are we doing here?
A boutique that has infant clothing and accessories grabs my attention. I open the car and jump out to walk up to the lighted store front. There are knitted baby clothes and strollers in the storefront window, and losing my baby hits me full force. Tears stream down my face because I can imagine my baby wearing these clothes and me pushing the stroller for an afternoon walk. A sob escapes and I place my hand on the glass.
“Why are you crying?”
I jolt as Alex comes up behind me, and I wipe the tears from my face, trying to compose myself.
“It’s nothing.”
