“Fuck, Luna.” I reached my hand out, cupping her cheek with my palm. “You’re goddamn angelic when you laugh.”
Her laughter waned to chuckles, and when she finally stopped, I missed it like it was one of my limbs. Her cheeks reddened as I stared at her, but I refused to look away. I hadn’t wanted this—not with her or anyone else—but I couldn’t deny that she’d taken root in my mind from the moment I’d touched her bare skin.
“Oh my God,” Aida whispered. “You two are,” she sighed, “just perfect.” Her voice broke the spell we were under and I pulled my hand back. But I didn’t look away. I needed her to know that there was a reason I’d stepped in. It wasn’t just because she’d been in trouble, it was because I couldn’t bear the thought of her getting hurt.
“So...we’re getting married today, huh?” Luna whispered, her eyes lighting up. If I wasn’t mistaken, there was a hint of happiness to her clear blue eyes. Or maybe it was relief that I’d stuck to my word. Either way, I was going to soak in every second of her happiness.
“Not dressed like that, you’re not!” Aida shouted. She scrambled out of the car.
“Fuckin’ hell,” Lorenzo grunted, and I looked at him just in time to see him drop his head back. “I should have known this was going to happen.”
Luna’s door flung open and she was helpless to Aida as she pulled her out of the SUV. “We’ll be back in…” She looked up at the sky. “An hour.”
“An hour?” Lorenzo barked, getting out of the SUV. “What’s gonna take a goddamn hour to get ready?”
Aida rolled her eyes. “Men. They just don’t understand.” She turned to Luna. “I have the perfect dress you can wear.” She hooked her arm through hers. “Or maybe a few dresses. And heels. What size are you?”
“Six,” Luna answered, darting her gaze back to me as I pushed out of the SUV too. Looked like we weren’t going anywhere any time soon.
“Me too!” Aida said, her excitement clear. They walked through the doors, their voices fading as I waited to see what Lorenzo would say. He’d come out here to let me know that he knew what we were doing, but it had backfired on him too.
We stood several feet apart, both of our gazes focused on the mansion doors.
“I know she didn’t steal those drugs for herself,” he murmured, turning to face me. “Addicts don’t look like her. In fact…” He tilted his head to the side. “I’m guessing that she’s never touched a drop of alcohol or even smoked a joint.” He paused, and I already knew where this was going. He wanted answers. “Why’d she do it?”
I sighed, scrubbing my hand down my face. “Her parents.” I explained what Luna had told me had happened that night. “She’s worked for local dealers covering their debts since she was a kid.” I ground my teeth together. “She did what she had to, to survive.”
“Just like you did,” Lorenzo said, his eyes swirling with understanding. “I get it, but she still stole from me.” I knew it was coming. He’d let her off, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t want something in return. “I want the name of the dealer,” he grunted. “We need to show him what happens when you plot against the Beretta Mafia.”
I pushed my shoulders back, already figuring out a way I could get the name out of Luna. I could ask her straight up, and if that didn’t work, talk around in circles until she accidentally blurted it out. Either way, someone had to answer for the stolen drugs. And this time, I wouldn’t stop Lorenzo. Instead, I’d join in with him, showing everyone just what happened when you messed with something that was mine.
“I’ll get it done,” I growled, showing him my commitment.
“Good.” He turned, pushing his hand in his pocket. “Now let’s go have a damn drink while we wait for them.”
I walked in line with him into the mansion. “You’re coming with us?” I asked. I thought he’d been trying to give me an unspoken warning when he’d gotten into the SUV.
“You think I’m gonna let you get married without your family there?” He raised a brow as he entered his office. “Family don’t let family do shit alone, Mateo. And me and Aida? We’re your family.” My stomach churned for an entirely different reason as I stared at him pouring amber liquid into