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Did he call Constantine here after that conversation?
When we pass Hands, he hops off his bike and joins us, striding across the parking lot at Cash's side. Giant gives me the tiniest smile when we pass him, but his gray eyes are more serious than ever.
I shiver even though it's not particularly cold out. The weak winter sun shines brightly overhead, the rays spilling across the parking lot. Wind rustles through the treetops, singing in counterpoint to the growl of the motorcycles as we step beyond them.
We draw to a stop a few feet from my family.
"Hi, Uncle Dante, hi, Dimitri," I whisper, wringing my hands together. "Hi, Constantine."
"Sweetheart," Uncle Dante says. Even though his expression gives nothing away, he can't hide the worry in his voice. "You doing okay?"
"Yes." I swallow hard, feeling about two inches tall. "I'm sorry I worried you."
"You don't owe him an apology," Jude growls, glaring daggers at my uncle. "He shouldn't have tried to force you to do what you don't want to do."
"Fifth," Cash mutters, cutting his eyes at Jude. "Chill."
Jude ignores him, bristling like a pissed-off, territorial daddy bear. "She ran because she didn't trust you not to force her back to Houston against her will."
"You must be Jude Despora," Uncle Dante says, his tone full of wry amusement.
Dimitri is less amused. He's growling softly, his eyes narrowed on Jude.
Hands and Constantine say nothing, instead standing off to the side. They both look bored, but I'm not blind. I know they're both keeping an eye on each other and everyone else. They have that look about them, limbs long and loose, prepared for a fight. It's interesting, but I never thought of Hands as dangerous until this moment. He's so in love with his wife and baby girl and so gentle with them. Seeing him like this though, I realize that he's every inch the warrior.
"That's me," Jude says to my uncle.
"Which makes you Jason Montoya," Uncle Dante says, looking at Cash.
Cash lifts his chin in a nod.
Uncle Dante glances at Hands, who makes no move to introduce himself, and then back to Jude. "I'm Dante Arakas," he says. "Devin's uncle."
"I know who the fuck you are." His gaze whips like lightning from my uncle to Dimitri. "You're the reason she fled her home in the middle of the night. You're the reason she's spent the last goddamn week living off what scraps she could sneak from our kitchen." He draws himself up to his full height, his expression blistering. "You're the reason she was afraid to ask for help."
Dimitri shifts uneasily.
Not Uncle Dante. Irritation flashes in his eyes. "Considering that you've got your fucking arm around my niece, I suggest you watch your tone when talking to me," he says calmly. "I didn't come here to fight. I came here to talk like civilized adults."
Jude glowers, clenching his jaw so hard his teeth grind together.
"Jude," I whisper, placing my hand on his jaw.
He tilts his head down, meeting my gaze.
"Please," I say quietly, shaking my head. I love him so much for standing up for me, but it's my turn to stand up for myself. With him at my back, I can do it. I can do anything.
His expression softens, the anger in his eyes bleeding away. He lifts his hand, brushing it down the side of my face. The look in his eyes…God, I hope he never stops looking at me like this.
"Jesus fucking Christ," Dimitri mutters, the first thing he's said since we got here.
I startle, turning to look at him.
"This is fucking ridiculous," he says, throwing his hands up. "We didn't come to fucking kidnap you. We aren't dragging you back to Houston by the hair of your head, Devin. We thought you wanted to come back home."
"Iamhome," I whisper vehemently, tears welling in my eyes. "Silver Spoon Falls is my home, Dimitri."
"You live in Houston," he says.
