Page 9 of Hostile Love
“No one points a gun at my brother! Comprende, motherfuckers.”
His eyes find mine and he kills the space between us, bumping his chest into the barrel of the gun I’m holding.
“He told you to shoot me, didn’t he?”
I nod. “It’s the only way he’ll accept me.”
The only way I’d earn his love.
“And you think killing me would be worth it?”
“No.” I admit, feeling queasy.
Sunlight catches the diamond studs in his earlobes when he cocks his head, taking a moment to consider me.
“He’s screwing with your head, Mat. Killing someone you love doesn’t make you a man. It crushes you from the outside in. And it sure as fuck doesn’t prove anything to anyone. Not even him.”
“I know.”
I let the cold steel drag down his pristine white shirt as my arm lowers.
“I’m sorry, Tommy.”
He leans into the side of my face, his cologne strong and his presence a little intimidating as he lowers his voice.
“Just so we’re clear, if Papá gave me the order to shoot you, I wouldn’t do it either. That doesn't make me weak, does it?” I shake my head. “Precisely. We’re familia, and outside of that, nothing else matters. I value your life because you’re my brother. Learn to trust me, Mat. But pull a gun on me again and Shane will saw off your fucking arms. Do we understand each other, cabron?”
“Sí, brother.”
“Now get the fuck back to school and call me when you get there, so I know you’re okay.”
4
MATHEUS
PRESENT
“Where’s the medical supplies in this place?”
Ending the call with Blanco, I dump the burner phone into an antique-looking dish on the console table and glare at the soldier lingering nearby.
“Try the bathroom.” He nods over my shoulder. “It’s at the end of the hallway.”
I exhale loudly, releasing and clenching my fist to wake my hand up. My head hurts from all the shit I’ve heard in the past few minutes.
Sure, it’s important information, if what Blanco had said is true, but my priority is Dani.
Blanco wants The Covenant to swoop in and rescue my little firecracker. How’s that going to work when they’re in Sicily?
Waiting for the team to arrive would be an unnecessary delay. One I’m not prepared to wait out.
Drawing my gun, I take aim at the asshole in front of me.
“Show me.”
His mouth twitches like he's chewing on the insults he’d like to spit at me. Despite his visible hatred for a Souza, he understands the power I hold, and a show of disrespect means my face would be the last he’d ever see.
“I’m going after Dani,” I tell him, full of confidence, even though my stomach knots.
