Page 61 of Illicit

“But you made me call you three times,” she spouts. “Today is a big day! You’ll be back in Miami soon. I can’t wait!”

Landyn is married to Brax, but she’s known Rocco as long as she’s known her husband. The way my mom explained it to me years ago, Rocco and Landyn bonded over cartels, the mafia, and a motorcycle gang. They were in survival mode together. Landyn might’ve fallen in love with Brax, but she and Rocco have a friendship unlike any other.

I’m hyperaware of every move he makes. When he exhales, my hair flutters around my face, and he hasn’t taken his finger off my lips—as if I’m anxious for Landyn to know I’m in New Orleans with her best friend for life.

“I can’t wait either.”

There’s nothing facetious about his tone, but it is a bit sad.

“Did I wake you? Aren’t the movers coming today?” Landyn asks. Her kids, Brian and Bailee are chattering in the background. “Lovies, Uncle Rocco will be here in a few days. Everyone say hi!”’

I’ve always loved how close Rocco is to Brax and Landyn’s kids. He plays the part of the uncle in the best way possible. I know it’s killed him to not be near them for the last three years. And him moving back now just in time for the birth of their third is everything to him. He’ll even be the godfather.

When the kids yell for him in unison, I feel a smile against the side of my head.

“I’ll see you next week, little rugrats,” he teases.

They giggle in the background, and Landyn laughs. “I’m not sure who’s more excited, them or me. I hear you’re stopping at Teagan’s graduation on the way home.”

“I am.” I feel those two words everywhere when they rumble through me.

“Tim told Brax and Brax told me. That’s what I’m calling about. Maybe you can convince her not to go to New York. Annette might be distracted with Sammie, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t beside herself. You and Teagan used to be close. She’s always listened to you. Try to convince her she can have everything she wants in a career in Miami.”

“I was as surprised as anyone to hear she was moving,” Rocco says as he leans into me farther, pressing me into his mattress. “Especially since she got back together with her high school boyfriend.”

I couldn’t gasp if I wanted to. The moment he speaks those words, he wraps his hand over my mouth to keep me from making a noise.

“What?” Landyn sounds like she’s stopped what she’s doing. She sounds truly perplexed as I die a little bit inside. “Are you sure about that? Because that’s … really odd.”

Rocco just won’t stop. “That’s what she said when I called her to tell her we’d be caravanning back to Miami.”

“Maybe she had a boyfriend that I didn’t know about, because…” Landyn lets that thought trail off.

I use my free foot to give him a weak heel to the shin.

All I get in return is a chuckle—and a silent one at that, but I feel it everywhere.

“Because why?” Rocco pushes. “Teagan and I have both been gone the last couple years, but we’ll be together for the next few days. Tell me everything.”

I’ve never had the desire to bite anyone, but I do now. Rocco’s hand is still plastered over my mouth, and he has me pinned to the bed. I’m screwed.

And not in a good way.

“Look, it’s been five years since she’s graduated from high school. It’s completely possible I forgot she had another boyfriend.”

“Another?” Rocco asks.

I close my eyes and wish someone would put me into a medically induced coma.

“Like I said, I only know of one. And I know for sure she’s not getting back with him. He’s my client. He has great hair.”

Shit. A coma isn’t permanent enough. Someone needs to put me out of my misery for good. I’ll never recover from what’s about to happen.

“Really.” It’s a statement, not a question. Rocco must be a mind reader because he’s hell bent on torturing me before my death by mortification happens. All of a sudden, he lets my mouth go at the same time I lose his weight. He shifts to his side as he forces me to my back so he stares down at me where he’s propped on an elbow. “It’s been forever. What was her boyfriend’s name again?”

“Jed.”

I close my eyes. If I have to lie here and listen to this, I refuse to look at him.

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