Page 14 of Lucky Boys
I gave a little salute to Luca. “You got it, boss.” He rolled his eyes but smiled fondly at me as I walked off.
It didn’t take long to clear the property. I found the vehicle they’d driven, a utility van, of course, but it was empty of anything identifying. Still, I took pictures and sent a quick text to Luca so we could make sure to get rid of it. There was no indication that there was anyone else here besides the three Weshad taken care of. We still needed to get out of here, and fast, since it was highly unlikely these guys didn’t answer to someone who would come looking when they didn’t show up. But at least we had some time. We needed all the advantages we could get.
CHAPTER 6
BROOKS
I kneltin front of Diego where he sat on the edge of the bed, assessing every inch of him. He’d sworn he was fine, and physically that seemed like it was true. Mentally, I wasn’t so sure. Diego’s whole body shook and his eyes kept jumping from the three men in our house, who were busy making bodies disappear, to the front door and then back to me.
Luca had suggested we pack bags and that Diego grab anything he needed that Luca couldn’t easily purchase for his system so he could work. At Luca’s mansion. Because that was, apparently, where we would be staying since it wasn’t safe here.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d agreed it wasn’t fucking safe. Those fuckers had found our home. We’d be much safer at Luca’s, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little psyched to stay there. He had a heated pool and two game rooms. Two! Not to mention a full gym and a range that could be used for both gun and knife target practice.
What annoyed me was how Luca had made the decision without even asking us what we wanted and then had immediately walked away to deal with everything else, leaving me with a panicky Diego.
Despite Luca’s order, because that was what it was, neither of us moved. I didn’t know if Diego was capable of it. I’d offer to pack up for him, but if I even thought about touching D’s setup, he’d probably have a heart attack, die, then come back as a ghost to haunt my ass for touching his shit.
“Can I touch you, D?” I really wanted to hug him, but I’d settle for any kind of physical contact. I knew better than to do it without asking though. I thought he was going to say no, but finally I got the tiniest of nods. Taking full advantage of it, I placed my hands on each of his thighs and squeezed.
“What do you need from me?” I asked him.
That got a little huff. “I-I have no fucking clue. Brooks, I-I don’t know if I can walk out the door.” Just saying the words had him shaking harder, and before I could do anything, he started to hyperventilate.
I sat up on my knees so we were eye level and moved my hands, carefully, to his arms. “Breathe, Diego. C’mon, you got this. In through your nose, out through your mouth.” I did a few deep breaths, even with my own lungs burning, until Diego finally copied me.
“That’s it. You’re doing great, D.” He narrowed his eyes, even through the panic. It was enough to have me relaxing some. If he could still glare, he wasn’t having a full-blown panic attack. He’d be okay.
It wasn’t until Diego’s breathing was almost normal and tears were flowing down both our faces that I realized we had an audience. At some point, Skye must’ve come back, and now all four guys were watching us with concern.
Diego’s face turned tomato red and he flopped on the bed in embarrassment. “Just fucking great.”
I climbed to my feet and stared down all of them, daring them to say anything.
Thankfully, they all had enough common sense to keep their mouths shut and not make fun of D, otherwise they’d see how proficient I was with my knives.
Wes was watching Diego, but it was with concern, not pity or disgust, so I didn’t call him on it. “What’s making you the most worried, Diego?”
Hmmm . . . I honestly didn’t expect that question.
Diego groaned and covered his face, but he answered. “Leaving. I know I need to . . . I just— Fuck. I just can’t.”
“He hasn’t left the house since Pop’s stroke a year and a half ago.” And his panic attack had been so bad that he’d had to be sedated when we’d gotten to the hospital. “Not even to go to our parents’ place.”
It was clear none of them had realized how serious the situation was when I’d said he had anxiety about leaving. I didn’t have time to explain it, and besides, it was Diego’s story to tell.
I sat on the bed next to him. “Do you want your meds? It might help?”
Diego groaned again. “I hate taking them. They always make me fall asleep and then leave me groggy and out of it.”
“I know. It would be just this once though. You can take it then pack up your stuff before it hits, and then by the time you’re done, they should’ve hit your system.”
“Ugh.” Diego scrubbed his face. “Yeah, okay.”
“I’ll get them.” But Wes stopped me before I got up.
“I’ll go. You stay here with Diego.”
Um, okay . . . Still, I took him up on the offer because D looked relieved not to be stuck alone with the other guys. I told Wes where they were and he left the room.
