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Ridge didn’t appear to find it any funnier than I did, based on the look he shot Brix. “Because you have been, Press. You can’t deny it. Since shortly after we rescued her from that shipping container, you have tasked yourself with being the decision maker for anything to do with her.”
“I have done, haven’t I?” I said, continuing our walk. “My apologies.”
“Hold up a minute,” said Brix. “I may have been indisposed when all this went down, but wasn’t her rescue something all the members of Los Caballeros agreed to help with?”
“Yes,” answered Ridge. “We also agreed not to involve you at the time because you were going through your own stuff with Addy.”
“I’m not suggesting you should’ve done otherwise. What I’m saying is Press is the one who needs us to step up since he’s got his own family stuff going on. Can’t someone else be the point person for Luisa? I’d be willing to do it.”
“Perhaps the time has come for the woman to be her own point person.” I stared off in the distance rather than make eye contact with two of the men most likely to recognize my pain. I’d taken on that job without anyone asking me to—Luisa included. It wouldn’t be easy for me to let it go.
“Okay, but even Seraphina suggested I talk to you about it first,” said Ridge.
“Very well, I’ll speak with Luisa.”
“Press, what’s going on? Is there something more besides your mom? I know that’s enough, but even before that, at our wedding, you seemed distracted.”
“You said it yourself. I taskedmyselfwith being the middleman with anything to do with Luisa. I had no right.”
“It’s what happened with Beau, isn’t it?” asked Zin, who I hadn’t seen approach.
“What happened with Beau?” Brix asked.
“He kissed her,” Zin responded.
“Bloody hell,” I muttered, stalking away in the direction of the main house. Like the one I had with my dad, this was not a conversation I wanted any part of. It was hard enough to see it replay in my mind again and again; I didn’t need totalkabout it.
I could hear my three friends on my heels and picked up my pace. Any faster and I’d break into a run. Instead, I came to a sudden stop and spoke without turning to look at them. “As I said, I will speak with Luisa regarding this final request. However, after I do, please address her directly.”
“Let me handle it, Press,” said Brix.
“Right. Good. You handle it.” This time when I stormed off, they went in the opposite direction.
The following day,we stood in the family cemetery on the grounds of the Barrett Estate and laid my mother’s ashes to rest.
Beau, my father, and I were surrounded by our closest friends. Ones who were like family to us. Ridge’s father, Hewitt, had flown in, as had Zin’s father, Michael. They stood alongside my dad and Tryst, who spoke a few words before inviting my brother and me to do so. Neither of us did.
I couldn’t attest to how Beau felt, but I’d spoken with my mother many times in the days since she passed. There was nothing I needed or wanted to say publicly.
Part of me wished Luisa was here too. However, that she’d be here to comfort Beau more than me caused the ache in my chest over the loss of my mother to worsen.
I hadn’t spoken with her since I last read a few chapters of our book to her. Brix had offered to talk with her about Ares’ request, and she hadn’t reached out to me about it or anything else. Thus, I hadn’t contacted her either.
We returned to the main residence, and I excused myself from the group. Once I reached the bedroom, I realized the thing I wanted to do most—speak with Luisa—was the last thing I should do. The sooner I weaned myself from her, the better.
I changed out of the suit I wore to the graveside and returned downstairs, appreciating that we’d decided to keep today private. I doubted my brother or father could’ve withstood a parade of people through the house again today any better than I could.
“Have you thought about how long you’ll stay?” Brix asked, approaching when I poured myself a glass of wine.
“At least a few days. Beyond that, I’ve no idea.” Before making any decisions, I’d need to talk it over with Beau, who must’ve excused himself like I had.
I itched to ask Brix if everything had been arranged for Luisa’s call with the profilers. I refrained, though, reminding myself again it was for the best if I removed myself from being her self-appointed guardian.
“You needn’t stick around,” I said, realizing it might be the reason he’d asked about my intentions.
“Ridge and I will head home in the morning, unless there’s something more we can do.”
“I appreciate it. That you were here at all meant a great deal to me.”
