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I didn’t have exclusivity at anything to do with Marco.
Emilio leaned forward, refusing to get involved in the conversation.
“I know you’re upset with me,” I said to him. “I’m sorry you got caught up in my drama with Marco.” I wasn’t going to beg him to forgive me, nor was I going to make excuses or say I’d never do it again. That would be a lie.
“I’m out of here.” Orlando stood.
I put my hand on his arm. “Wait. Have you seen her?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen her.”
“When? I’m looking for her.”
“A while ago. I wasn’t in the mood to be social.”
“Did you talk to her? You’re important to her. I know she can be clingy, but she needs you.”
“She’s cool, but I can’t. It’s done. I liked her.” He rolled his eyes. “I still like her, but I’m not fucking risking my brother’s anger for you or your sister. You’re not worth it, and neither is she.”
I snatched my hand back.
“Don’t. Don’t act like I’m the dick in this. You were still out fucking around on my brother while he had his hands around my neck. Before you, he’d never threatened to kill me. I don’t know what the fuck you’re up to but leave me out of it. I don’t have a fucking death wish. I’m his fucking brother, and he still nearly choked me out.”
“What?”
“What the fuck did you think would happen? I didn’t know the rules he’d set for you, but you did.”
Guilt brewed in my belly because he was right. I didn’t want him involved, but this was their world. I didn’t make the rules, so I couldn’t help breaking a few. When it came to Dee, I would again.
“I only planned to be gone for a few minutes,” I said. “I had no idea he was on his way home.”
“You fucked us both. You’re trapped here with no phone, and I’m on probation. I’m a fucking capo, and I have a fucking babysitter. It’s all work and no fun for me.”
“I’ll talk to Marco. It wasn’t your fault.”
He snorted a laugh. “Are you for fucking real? Leave it alone. I don’t need you fighting my battles for me.”
“I understand why you’re angry with me, but don’t shut out Dee. She needs you.”
His shoulders softened. “I don’t want to hurt her, either.”
Emilio rested a hand on Orlando’s shoulder. “Yeah, she’s our little patatina. Until Marco loosens the restrictions, we’ll hang out with her online.”
“Thank you.”
Emilio cocked his head to the side. “Yeah, well, it’s your fuck up, not hers.”
I smiled. “I’ll keep you out of my fuck ups in the future.”
“Try not to piss off Marco,” Orlando said. “The rest of us suffer for it. Keep your knife out of our back.”
“Use it on Marco. We much prefer his mood after you’ve carved him up with your blade.” Emilio chuckled. He and Orlando walked toward the guesthouse.
My mother came along beside me. “You look lovely.”
I turned to her. “I’d still be wearing the dress if Marco hadn’t ripped it from my body.”
“Oh no. Was he furious?” She covered her mouth with her fingers. “I warned you it was too much, and that he’d hate it.”
