There’s a soldier on the door. I slow, fully expecting him to tell us we can’t leave, but he simply nods at Lito and lets us pass.
I hurry up, sticking close to Lito as he beelines for a bright yellow sports car.
“He never lets me drive the Lambo.” He grins and pauses at a spot on the wall where several key fobs are hanging. “This one.” He snags one fob and hurries to the car.
I walk to the passenger side. It takes me a few tries to figure out how the door works, but once I do, I slide into the leather seat and breathe in the new car smell.
Lito starts the car, and the engine purrs to life. “Mateo is such a hardass. But you’ll learn that under all those layers of rock …” He pulls a pair of shades from his shirt pocket and slides them on. “There are more layers of rock and then an icy, sharp husk underneath that has to suffice for a heart.” He grins and opens the garage door, then guns the engine.
I strap the seatbelt on and fold my hands in my lap.
“But he’s not so bad once you get to know him. At least, I hope that’s the case for your sake.” He whips us out of the garage at a terrifying rate, and I can’t hold in my scream as he races down the driveway toward the woods.
“Don’t worry.” He gives me a sideways glance. “I’m not going to kill my brother’s wife, at least not before I get her some decent clothes.”
“I have decent clothes,” I retort over the roar of the engine. “I mean, they’re college clothes, but I like them.”
“Hoodies and jeans, I take it?” He arches a brow.
“Yes, but—”
“No.” He cruises through the open gate and takes a hard left turn onto the highway. “You’re the wife of a rising star in our world. You have to dress the part. And I’ll give you a piece of advice.” He hits the gas so hard I think I might be having an out-of-body experience. “Don’t let Mateo push you around. He’s making you wear shitty clothes?” He makes a pfft sound. “One-up him and walk around naked in front of his men. He’ll change his tune quick if you put yourself on display like that.” He waggles his brows.
I press my legs together and curl my shoulders inward. With the way he drives and the things he’s suggesting, I realize getting into the car with Lito might not have been my best move.
“Hey.” He pulls his shades down, his dark brown eyes meeting mine for a terrifying second, though his voice gentles as he speaks to me. “You don’t have to worry about me, Lucretia. Don’t be scared. I’m not interested in you or anyone on your team for that matter.” When he puts his attention back on the road, I feel the coil around my chest relax somewhat. Both because we might not die, and also because I don’t have to fear him. Not the way I fear the other soldiers in the house. Though, no one’s given me any trouble except that one asshole yesterday.
“So, you’re gay?” I ask.
“Ding ding ding. She gets a prize.” He smirks, and I can see a hint of Mateo in it. “I’m the brother with the better taste in clothing, men, food, you name it. So you’re lucky I came along.”
I relax even farther back into the seat, my mind whirring with possibilities. Maybe I can slip him at whatever store we’re—
“Lucretia?” His voice is a purr like that of the engine’s.
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
What would be the wrong idea? “Okay? I’m not sure what you—”
“I’m loyal to my brother. Before anyone else. Understand? So whatever fantasies you might have about trying to escape or running back to your family—”
That draws a harsh laugh from me. “That’s the last place I’d run.”
“It’s like that, then?” He takes the on-ramp to the freeway, and we zoom past several cars. “I don’t keep up with the family gossip much anymore, but I have heard that your parents aren’t exactly the warmest.” He glances at me again. “I also heard about your brother. I’m sorry.”
Why does my throat still close up and my eyes burn? It’s been six months, and I still get caught off-guard whenever he’s brought up, or even when I think about him. It’s like an unexpected gut punch, and it never seems to get any easier.
“I’m sorry,” he says again. “I’ve never lost a brother, but our parents were …” He tightens his grip on the wheel, then lets off. “Anyway, let’s just say I can relate. Were the two of you close?”
I nod, not trusting my voice.
“I get that. Mateo and I used to be closer. We’re so different, always have been, but I think that’s what helped us get along when we were kids. We grew apart more when I moved to L.A. I know he misses me, no matter what he says.” He makes a wry expression. “And he says plenty. Always giving me shit. But I think he’s secretly glad that I’m doing my own thing out west. Maybe sort of living vicariously through me. I don’t know. He’s a tough nut to crack, but you’ve probably noticed that.”