Page 161 of Lourdes & the Mafia
A brief look of hurt flashes through her eyes. “If you needed protection, why didn’t you come to us? We would’ve kept you safe.”
I grind my teeth together before I take a deep breath. So much has gone unsaid between us. For so long we have relied on each other to the point where it became something unhealthy. Of course, we are far from being toxic or hateful, but there’s still a prickling thorn lodged in our relationship. It’s been itching, festering, and we ignore it, leaving it bloody and sore.
That’s no way to live, and it’s high time we talked and were honest for once.
“I didn’t go to you because I didn’t want to hear you say ‘I told you so’.”
Her eyes widen with shock. “I wouldn’t—”
“It’s in your eyes, Naomi. Do you think I never noticed? Every time I cried over my failed relationships, every time I went against your advice, you think I didn’t see the judgment in your eyes? It always felt like you were lookingdownon me. And that’s always been so hard to bear.” Tears accumulate in my eyes and I sniff, but that only makes them fall. “I love you so much, and I know you love me too. But it feels like we’ve been dancing back and forth in a game where we act like we’re in some weird mother-daughter relationship.”
Naomi chokes out a laugh. “Fucking figures, doesn’t it? Yours is dead and mine sucks ass.” She shakes her head. Her eyes are shining with fresh tears. “You’re right. And I didn’t even realize until you said anything.”
A breath of relief leaves me. I reach across the space to take her hands in mine. “Tu sabes que te quiero, Naomi.”
She smiles. “I love you, too.”
“I was terrified of seeing you disappointed in me and I was sneaky about things. In hindsight, I should have taken your advice, but if I had, I never would have learned for myself. Or met the three demons that are out there waiting for me right now. And I never would have… come into my own.”
She squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry if I’ve smothered you. I’ve always just wanted you to be safe and if it was detrimental to you somehow…”
“I appreciate you and love you for it. Truly.”
Her head inclines towards the door, gesturing beyond. “And those demons, they treat you right?”
A stupid smile immediately curves my mouth. “So, so right.”
“I’m still going to threaten them. With a gun.”
I chuckle. “I expect nothing less. Word of advice, don’t point it at Kane. He’s a cranky bastard. Ramiel will just stand there stoically. Lorenzo might like it.”
“Jesus. Is Lorenzo as crazy as Box?”
“Ay, mi amiga. Nobody is as crazy as your big-dick kangaroo bastard.”
“True.” When she smiles, it’s full of warmth and love.
Ever since she’s been with her men, there’s something about her that seems softer. Though no less frightening.
“Hey.” She draws my attention back to her. “Don’t scare me like that ever again. Yeah? And you have to tell me everything that happened.”
“It’s a fuckingstory, Naomi.”
“I’ve got all night…”
We emerge from Daddy Kraken’s office sometime later and there’s a party going in full swing. Drinks are being poured and slammed back just as quickly, music vibrates through the wooden walls, making the entire compound bounce. Through a sea of scales, leather, and bodies, I see my men at the bar alongside Naomi’s.
We weave our way towards them, a teasing smile already on my mouth as I see Kane staring down at the sticky bar with derision and distaste. Openly judgmental, without a shadow to glamor him in sight.
As I approach, he wipes the expression of disdain from his face, though it’s still all hard and angry lines.
“Not up to your standards?” I tease.
His lip curls and a shadowy hand whips out, hauling me forward by the waist until I collide against his chest. My hands curl into the lapels of his suit jacket and I stand on the tips of my toes to press a kiss to his lips.
From the sidelines, Box cackles. “You call that a kiss, mate?” His eyes shine on Kane with mirth.
Like he’s found a challenge he wants to conquer.
