Page 98 of Illicit

This is different.

This feels … personal.

Brax is standing square in front of Rocco with the rest flanking him. Rocco looks about as happy as he was when he caught me trying to work undercover to figure out where Heath Hayes is.

I can’t take my eyes off him, and I don’t give a shit who sees.

He pulls in a deep breath and stares at an invisible spot on the wall while Brax talks nonstop.

“He doesn’t start until next week,” Mom says when she comes to stand beside me. She hands Sammie a glass of water. “I wish they’d just relax and let Rocco enjoy his family for once.”

His family.

That’s a concept.

Especially after learning about his father yesterday.

I’d bet all the contents in my car that Brax isn’t talking about a case or drugs or his newest target.

I bet Goldie doesn’t realize what’s going on. Her husband, King, stands there with a grave expression on his face as their toddler, Bale, is sacked out on his chest.

Landyn is the only woman in their huddle. She can’t tear herself away from Rocco now that he’s home. She stands with the men glued to Rocco’s side, arm in arm. Her head rests on his shoulder.

I guess news hasn’t traveled to the entire group yet, which is hard to believe.

I know what they’re talking about. It’s not a wiretap or cartels or interdictions.

“It’s not a case,” I mutter, not able to take my eyes off Rocco. I don’t need to be in the conversation to know what they’re talking about. It’s etched in Rocco’s incensed expression. I hate that look on his face. “It’s about his father.”

The women turn and gape at me.

Even Sammie is surprised.

But it’s my mom who is the most astonished. “His father?”

When I realize she doesn’t know, I turn to her and reach for her hand.

Rocco’s gaze angles up. Like a magnet, it finds mine without having to search. I roll my lips and bite my bottom lip.

Mom turns to me. “What’s going on?”

Shit.

But even with the tone and look Mom throws at me, I can’t look away from him.

I’m not sure how I know, but I know. Whatever is going on in that huddle on the other side of the room, shit just got worse than it was before we got home.

What was supposed to be a welcome home party and celebration of everything under the sun turns dark the moment I answer.

I turn to my mom and tell her the truth, even though I know it will hurt her. Rocco isn’t hers, but she loves him like he is.

“His father was released from prison,” I say, glancing back at Rocco. He’s not upset or worried. Rocco is pissed. “He’s free.”

Rocco

Who knew I had the capability to turn a party into a funeral.

It seems Brax kept the details about my father between us. But that all changed when he got a call a couple hours ago with the details of his release.

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