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“It was inevitable. We couldn’t stay out there in paradise forever. Besides, the best specialists are here,” he says with a shrug. “And learning of your upcoming wedding and the fact she’s about to become an aunt has given my Anya a huge boost. So, thank you.”
I could tell him that his wife and the woman for whom he believes the sun sets and rises is going to be okay. That she’ll beat it again like she did before, but we both know that may not be true and that’s not what we do for each other. He wouldn’t appreciate false hope. Lorenzo is a realist. So instead I tell him the only other truth that matters right now.
“I’ve fucking missed you, Loz.”
“Missed you too, D,” he says, throwing his arms around me.
We hug each other fiercely, and I choke up as the years we’ve spent apart fall away and I remember how good life is when this man is at my side. Despite my father’s best efforts, he could never drive a wedge between us. I would die for him in a heartbeat and he would do the same for me. There has always been the three of us — him, Maximo and me. There is no ego between us. None of us care who the outside world believes us to be. We are equals in each other’s eyes and we always will be.
“I’m sorry I was away for so long, brother,” he says as he steps back.
“You don’t have to apologize. You did what you had to do. Maybe one day, I’ll run off to paradise for a few years and leave you to run things.”
“You only have to say the word,” he replies with a smirk, but I know that he means it.
“So, what do you think of Kat?”
“Any woman that can handle you must be something special. Do you want to marry her? Truly?”
My answer comes without hesitation. “Yes.”
“Then I’m happy for you both.”
* * *
“You think this will be okay?”Kat asks as she smooths down the fabric of the blue wrap dress over the slight curve of her stomach. “It’s not too tight?”
“It’s only dinner in the kitchen like we have every night, kitten,” I remind her.
“No, it’s notjustdinner. It’s dinner with your brother, who terrifies me.”
I slide my arms around her waist and press her close to me. “You have no need to be terrified of him, and even if you did, I’ll protect you.”
“I think he doesn’t like me,” she whispers.
“He doesn’t like most people, but I promise he likes you. Did you enjoy talking to Anya?”
“Yes, I did.”
That doesn’t surprise me. Most people light up like that when they talk about my sister-in-law. She’s one of those people who can put anyone at ease.
“But she was…” She chews on her bottom lip as she stares into my eyes.
“She was what?”
“Different around him? Like not herself?”
“Oh,” I say with a nod of understanding. “I probably should have told you something about their dynamic.”
“Their dynamic?” she blinks at me.
“Did you see the diamond necklace she wears?”
“Yes. It was stunning.”
“It’s not a necklace, kitten, it’s a collar.”
She frowns. “A collar? Like for a pet?”
