However, even I had to admit that wasn’t as bad as what Noah did.
I shifted fully to Luke’s side and his arm curled around my neck (rather in your face possessively, if you asked me). I chanced a glance at Ren and saw he was studying his shoes, one of his hands at the back of his neck, the other one at his waist. This was a different position of masculine reflection and I figured Noah’s luck, already short, had run out.
But it was Uncle Vito who spoke next, and his voice was Scary with a capital “S”.
“No one f**ks with family.”
Okay, so it was actually now when Noah’s luck ran out.
“I’m not family,” I protested.
Ren’s head came up, his hand at his neck dropped and his eyes locked on mine.
“You’re family.” His voice was terse.
“I’m not,” I repeated.
“You’re family,” Dom snapped.
“No, really –” I started.
“Ava, Sissy is family and since you’re Sissy’s family, like it or not, in a roundabout way, that makes you a Zano. And no one f**ks with a Zano,” Uncle Vito declared.
Hell and damnation.
“You get him, I want him,” Luke said and I looked up at him.
It was then I realized why he shared. It was then I knew he trusted that I could hack it if he shared. It was then I knew that he knew Ren didn’t just want to f**k me but he had feelings for me, deep ones. It was then I realized Luke knew how all the Zanos felt about me. And finally, it was then I realized Luke was using the Zanos to get what he wanted, payback on Noah.
It was actually really clever in a manipulative and annoying way.
“Hang on a second –” I started.
“Done,” Uncle Vito said.
My heart stopped beating and I looked from Uncle Vito to Luke and back again.
“Wait –” I started again.
Luke talked over me. “Ava’s activated the Rock Chicks,” Luke surprised me by informing my now not-so-secret plan to the Zanos (how did he know everything?). Ren, Dom and Uncle Vito looked at me and Luke went on. “I know enough to know I’m not gonna be able to control her, or any of ‘em. I want him found before they find him.”
Uncle Vito looked to Lee. “Your brother and Chavez involved in this?”
“Not officially,” Lee answered.
Uncle Vito smiled a scary smile. My heart clenched an unhappy clench.
Shit!
“Everyone, can we just –” I started, yes again, then Luke interrupted me.
He turned to Tex and Duke. “You keep her protected. Something happens to her, I hold you responsible.”
“What the f**k you think we’re doin’ alignin’ ourselves with the girls rather than the hunt?” Tex boomed, clearly affronted.
Luke ignored him and looked at Dom. “Your shit sorted?”
“Not exactly but this takes precedence,” Dom answered.