Page 92 of When Sinners Rise
A call pulls my attention as we’re about to land. I answer it.
“Knox.”
“We’ve got another fifteen coming in from Mexico on the twenty-sixth. Kai’s primed for that offload. And nine coming across to you from New York on the twenty-ninth. Tell him about it.”
“Since when have we been dealing with New York pussy in San Antonio?”
“Since I said so. They need a change of scenery.” My brow raises at his authority, but, again, for all our sakes and with two cities now being held and Mariana off on her own to some degree, he needs his power on his own terms.
“I thought you were supposed to be moving in today. This isn’t exactly keeping clear of business.”
“I am.” The phone line cuts off.
“Nice.”
“Everything okay?” Lexi asks.
I smile and put my phone in my jacket. “Yeah. They’re all just fine.”
“Where are they?”
“Manhattan. Peyton likes it there.”
“Yes. She said she liked Wren, too. Someone has to, I suppose.”
I chuckle as the jet lands. “Don’t be a bitch.”
“You like me being a bitch. Anyway, when are they settling in New York?”
“Knox bought a place on the upper west side a while back. A gift for Peyton. They’re moving in today.”
“Lovely. Can I have one?”
“You can buy your own damn place if you want one. Your accounts are healthier than mine.”
She gets up and heads for the door, smirking at me. “Well, narcotics don’t cause the same problems as diseased pussy. I like my profit straight up. You should learn a thing or two about that. Also, Logan likes me.”
“Logan hates you. He’s just scared of me.”
She chuckles quietly as we make our way down the steps to a waiting car. “I’m not sure Logan’s scared of anyone.”
“Hmm. Well, he should be.” Because despite all this posturing bullshit and offer of friendly help on his streets, Dante’s in Dragon mode, Knox is getting pissed with Logan’s team trying to force him in a direction he doesn’t like, despite him insisting he’s taking a back seat for Peyton and Cade’s sake, and me? I’m just about done with subservience, given it was him that caused Knox’s pain in the first place. I’ll only accept so much lowering of myself. My father’s blood is beginning to overtake Cortez sense without them all close.
“You know,” she says as we walk. “I’m not sure I ever saw this future in front of us, but I’m glad it’s working out. Dante’s happy, Knox is happy, Mariana’s happy, and we’re happy. Only Shaw disrupts that balance.” She drops her ass into the car seat and looks up at me. “And Shaw disrupting balance makes you sad.”
I slam the door on her and walk around the other side, getting in behind the driver. “Sad? When have you ever known me to be sad?”
“Now.” Her hand reaches for my face to cup it. “You’re also anxious.”
I snort and look out the window, pulling my skin from her fingers. “You’re not allowed to know me that well.”
“You told me to understand you, to learn you. I did. I do. You feel things more than any of them. Astonishing for such a cold bastard.”
I laugh and shake my head as we start travelling roads and looking at unseen-before skylines. Cold? I suppose that’s an apt description of me. I’ve had some time to think about that since Knox’s wedding. Shaw looked at me before those vows as if he hated me, and by the time we walked outside, with all of us having listened to words of love and promise, he looked resigned to a life without us. He left that day, walked away from us all – because of me and my failings as a brother.
Staring at barren trees and dull skies, I close my eyes and wait for the journey to end. Lexi’s hand creeps into mine, like she knows, just like I do, that nothing will be settled until everything is settled. She squeezes, maybe hoping to offer support.
She does. Always.
