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“Right,” Bash said. “Don’t worry about it.”
“So what do we know about the De Lucas?” Zane asked. For the first time in a couple of weeks, I really looked at his face, which was bruised and purple around his lower lip. “Beyond them controlling West Palm Beach and Alicia being the boss’ daughter.”
"Well, the De Lucas are pretty insular," Hassan began, pacing the room now. "Keep to their own, fiercely loyal. They've been running their operations in West Palm Beach for nearly half a century now."
"Rumored to have ties with the Calabrian mafia," Skylar added, swirling the whiskey in his glass thoughtfully. "So, not exactly small fry."
"Right," Hassan agreed. "And Alicia...Alicia was Vito's only child. She was just as ruthless as her father, maybe even more so."
"Figures," Bash said. "Makes sense my brother found someone like that to marry."
"Well, she knew the risks," I said. "She stayed with Jez even though she knew exactly the kind of person he was."
"I didn't kill him even though I knew what kind of person he was," Bash said under his breath.
"He was your brother," Hassan said. "It was a whole thing."
Bash stopped short of smiling gratefully at him.
"Anyway, she's dead, he's dead, and now we're left in a power vacuum for West Palm Beach," he said. "No one to head the whole thing, and it's not like his wife can take over."
"And with Vito potentially on his deathbed, there's even more uncertainty," Zane chimed in, his face a mask of concern. "Sebastian is now a key player, whether he knows it or not."
"Which he doesn't, because he's a toddler," Bash pointed out with a sigh.
The room fell silent again, everyone lost in their own thoughts. It was Hassan who broke the silence, rubbing at the bright splash of color on his arm as he turned to Bash.
"So what are we going to do? If Vito gets his hands on Sebastian…"
"He won't," Bash cut him off, his voice leaving no room for doubt. He glanced at me, reaching over to take my shaking hand in his. I tried to smile but I knew it didn’t quite reach my eyes.
Before he could say anything else, we heard little footsteps approaching us. With a devilishly bright laugh accompanying the patter, Sebastian burst into the room, a toy car clutched in his pudgy hands. I watched as his large hazel eyes scanned the room, focusing on each of us with a flicker of childish curiosity.
"Juju!" he squealed suddenly, his eyes lighting up when he spotted me. But to get to me, he had to clamber over Bash's outstretched legs. He attempted this feat with much enthusiasm but little grace, nearly toppling over twice before he got to me.
I scooped him up into my arms, hiding my wince at the reminder of how much he was growing. "Hey there, gordo," I greeted softly, pressing a loving kiss to his forehead.
His body felt warm and solid against mine, a reminder of how precious this tiny life was. I pressed my lips to his forehead, inhaling the soft baby perfume of his skin.
"Da!" Sebastian exclaimed, pointing to Bash. He reached out with his chubby hand, wiggling his fingers until Bash leaned over and high-fived him.
The tension in the room eased a little at Sebastian's innocent interaction. Zane chuckled, ruffling his toddler nephew's hair, while Skylar made a silly face that had the little boy giggling with delight.
Bash watched them all, before leaning over and whispering into my ear, "We'll keep him safe."
I nodded, but the knot of worry in my stomach didn't quite go away. Looking at all these men in the room–Skylar with his whiskey, Zane with his bruised face, and Hassan donned in leather–I realized how deeply they all cared for Sebastian.
He wasn't just someone we were obligated to protect because of his lineage; he was family.
"Come on, mijo," Bash said. "You need to go back to bed."
Sebastian, with his eyes bright and curious, gave Bash a nod so serious it was endearing. He hurriedly placed his toy car in my lap before reaching out for Bash, eagerly wrapping his arms around his uncle's neck. I watched as Bash stood up, holding Sebastian securely against his chest. His gaze met mine, promising once again to keep the little boy safe.
"Juju," he said, reaching out for me.
"Don't worry, baby, I'm coming too," I said, getting off the sofa.
With the toy car in my hand and Sebastian's giggles echoing in my ears, we left the rest of the guys behind. They would stay up late into the night, scheming and planning for a war we were all too aware was brewing. It was a long walk to Sebastian's room, lit only by the sputtering wall sconces, but Bash carried him as if he weighed nothing. Once we reached his room, a haven of blue and white, Bash gently laid him down in his crib.
