I snickered with my fist in front of my mouth. There was only one like Lucio. Guy had a heart of stone, but one day he’d meet someone with a jackhammer and a wrecking ball who would finally be able to crack through the walls he built around his soul.
I placed my hands in my pants pocket. “Where you headed to?”
“Back to New York. I have some shit I need to sort out.”
“Family?”
“Something like that.”
Leaning my head to the side, I stared at his neck, part of the Band-Aid visible above his collar. “You gonna be okay with that?”
He placed his hand against his neck. “Another reason I thought it best that I leave. And, cousin, you know I can’t come back here. Ever.”
I knew this day would come. Especially since Lucio volunteered to take the burden off our hands. At first, I wanted to do it, make sure only I knew the whereabouts. But Lucio insisted, saying stuff like the risk was too great since I was too close to Doe. Lorik and Dante weren’t even an option, and neither was destroying the chip. It was too valuable. I clenched my jaw. “As long as you have it, you’ll be a target.”
A wicked smile spread across his face. “Dude, why the fuck do you think I agreed to this?” He pointed to the bandage on his neck. “I’m counting on this motherfucker keeping my lifeinteresting.”
We laughed, and then I turned all shades of serious. “Thank you, Lucio.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I’m serious. I owe you everything.”
Lucio walked up, and we gave each other a good old-fashioned bro-hug. “Take care of her, Antonio. That girl has been through enough.”
“I plan to.”
Lucio smiled when he pulled back. “But something tells me you two are going to rule this city with iron fists. You managed to make quite a fierce queen out of her.”
I cocked a brow. “You crushing on my woman, Lucio?”
“Nah. But she did make me realize what kind of woman I want.”
“What kind is that?”
He smirked. “The kind who loves getting her hands dirty.” He winked and waved before walking out the door. I was going to miss having the twisted fuck around.
I took a deep breath, roughing my hands through my hair, when Dante came walking in with Karina behind him. When I saw my sister in her halter-neck wedding dress, straight cut and embroidered with pearls, I had to swallow the lump in my throat.
“You look beautiful, Karina.”
“Thank you.” She smiled shyly.
Dante stepped in next to me, admiring how gorgeous our sister looked. “Dad would have been proud.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “I wish he was here, you know…to give me away.”
I walked over to her, taking her hands in mine. “He is here. He lives through us.”
“I know.” She nodded.
“But Dante is right,” I continued. “Dad would have been really proud.”
She smiled. “I can’t believe this day is finally here. We’ve waited so long.”
Both Dante and I groaned while I rolled my eyes. “Okay, we get it. Dante and I caused a slight delay in your plans.”
Karina lifted a brow. “Slightdelay?”