Page 36 of Before Dawn

Arnoldo just shrugged. Then, turning to me, he said, “Speaking of work, you know the Astar family?”

“Yeah. Didn’t you represent them?”

“Still do. Their parents need a personal driver for their daughters. I recommended Elite Rides. Just a heads-up.”

I nodded. “Appreciate it. I owe you a beer.”

He waved it off. “No big deal.”

“By the way, I’ll be out of town for a week.”

Reyes raised a brow, smirking. “Honeymoon?”

I chuckled. “Engagement party.”

“Ahh,” he said, his tone playful. “Have fun. Oh—about the expansion? Morison sent me the investor list.”

I stretched my arms, my mind shifting back to business. “We’ll be good.”

“Never doubted you.” Arnoldo grinned. “Keep me updated.”

“Same time next week?” Arnoldo called out as we parted ways, each of us heading off to our post-gym routines.

“Maybe,” Alex said. “We’ll see.”

“I’ll be out of town,” I reminded them. “But after that, sure.”

“Great. See you.”

When I got home, I wasn’t expecting to find Emilia standing outside my door, Elijah fast asleep in her arms and a bag at her feet. Her eyes were locked on her phone, brows furrowed like she was lost in thought.

I dropped my gym bag. “Why are you out here?”

She looked up, slipping her phone into her pocket. “Waiting for you.”

I frowned, unlocking the door. “Why didn’t you just go in? Management knows to let you inside.”

She shrugged. “I don’t barge into people’s homes.”

“You’re my sister.” I pushed the door open, holding it for her.

She didn’t respond, just picked up her bag and stepped inside, the silence thick between us.

Emilia had always been different—lighter, more at ease in a way I never was. Our parents were affectionate, loving, but they clung to their traditional Caribbean values, even more so after we moved to the States. The language barrier had hit me hard. They never pressured me, but I still felt it—the weight of expectation, the responsibility of being the oldest.

So, I made sure everything was perfect. My grades. My behavior. If I kept everything in line, maybe they’d ease up on her, let her be herself. But the need for perfection never faded. It sat under my skin, tightening every time things slipped out of place.

I exhaled, snapping out of my thoughts as I found her standing stiffly by the couch, glancing around like she wasn’t sure where to settle.

“The chair isn’t going to burn if you take a seat, Em.”

She looked at me, hesitated, then shifted her weight. “I don’t want to just… make myself at home.”

I frowned, walking over. “Emilia, you’re my sister.” My voice softened. “Mi casa también es la tuya.11”

She hesitated, her gaze flickering with uncertainty, but after a moment, she gave a small nod and sat down, settling Elijah beside her.

I walked to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water, but as I reached for the fridge, I glanced back at Emilia. She looked out of place, like she wasn’t sure if she belonged, and it tightened something in my chest.

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