Page 87 of Blood & Lace
"I'm fine, it's him that isn't. I have no clue what to do here." That wasn't true, I was taking the necessary steps to ensure Onyx had a good, happy life. Even if it meant betraying his trust.
Nash grunted in response. "I'm not judging. If anything, you should have gone to check this out the first time you heard about it. He might have a whole family hidden away. A wife, three point five kids and one of those little shit dogs."
My back stiffened at the thought of someone else having Onyx the way I did. He’d married before, but those were all jobs. What we had was different. It was more. "Onyx isn't like that." My voice grated against my vocal cords. My fingers dug into my flesh at the mere mention of such a thing.
"You're delusional when it comes to that man," my brother shot back.
"Nash." His name was nothing more than a growl. I didn't distrust Onyx even in the slightest. I knew there was no one else when it came to us. However, I wasn't sure who lived in the apartment that Nash had discovered.
"Stop being an ass," Elia said. "Lucero, don't listen to him. He's mad cause the last chick in his bed was a fucking flop."
"Fuck you both. I haven't had time for any ass lately," Nash grumbled. "I'm dying here."
Elia’s sigh filled the car as he took over the call. “Okay, but I don’t know, did you talk to Mom about this? I feel like she’s better at these talks.”
I’d tried, but she and Pops went on a vacation and I wasn’t trying to be the one kid who ruined their time away. Not to mention, I was a married man now; it was time I solved my own problems. I’d called her the last time Onyx had seemed off. What kind of husband would I be if I always ran to my mom every time my husband seemed to be a little distant and sad?
Going behind his back is better?
My thoughts were an endless loop ofshould Iandcould I, and it was going to give me an ulcer. I was already here and sitting in my car. Being on the phone with my brothers was the only thing keeping me from potentially ruining my marriage.Or saving it.
“I’ll call her when they get back into town.”
“Lucero—”
“I've made up my mind. I'm doing this."
There was a long pause before either one of my brothers spoke again.
"We have your back no matter what, but remember, you're peeking into someone's deep secrets," Elia reminded me. "If he wasn't ready to share this with you, Lucero, you're kind of saying fuck you to your husband."
"No, I…" I slammed my mouth shut, my teeth clicking together as I thought about what he said.
"I say go for it. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." There was a loud crash that resounded over the speakers. "Fuck, Elia, that wasn't necessary."
"That's shit advice and you know it." Elia, although was much leaner and smaller than most of us, was one of the best fighters amongst us. "Lucero, you do this, and no matter what, Onyx is going to be pissed off. Is it worth it?"
My head hurt, throbbing in time to the ache in my chest. I rubbed at my pec, trying to make the feeling go away that had wrapped around my heart.
"We have work,” Nash said. He cleared his throat. “Look, I already gave you the info. Either do it and handle the fallout, or go back home and do nothing.”
"Yeah, you're our big brother, no matter what. It's going to be a bitch if you come back brokenhearted, so do what you can. I kind of like Onyx. He has a great sense of style. It would be shitty if I never got to raid his closet,” Elia cut in.
“Okay.” Their words felt like nails on a chalkboard as my own thoughts waged war in my head. The turmoil inside only seemed to intensify. I hung up with my brothers and stared out the window. The building was right there, and yet I could still walk away. Whenever I felt lost or confused, or anything really, there was always one person I wanted to talk to. My phone was in my hand, Onyx’s messages were pulled up, and I sent a single word.
Lucero: Bella
I didn’t wait long, not even a full minute had passed when my phone buzzed in my hand. The corners of my mouth pulled up into a smile.
Onyx: What?
Onyx: While you're out today, can you pick up some peach tea?
I did a double-take. My husband had texted me twice in a row. He was starting to depend on me more and more, just not enough. I didn't think I could put it off any longer.
Lucero: Of course
Onyx: Thnx. Will be late tonight, have work.
