Page 61 of Precious Legacy
Roman rolls his eyes, repositioning us both on the couch so we don’t look like we’re two seconds away from fucking each other’s brains out. “I’ll get us some drinks,” he murmurs, kissing my temple. He stands up from the couch and I don’t miss the warning look he shoots my brother.
Alvaro is silent, eyes gazing straight ahead while his jaw ticks over.I know that look. He’s thinking deeply. If we were anywhere else, I’d be sure you could hear a pin drop. Thankfully, Sum41 is playing loud enough to drown out the silence that would’ve otherwise settled between us.
Fumbling with my hands in my lap, I’ve never felt so awkward with my own brother. We’ve never even gone this long without talking—and I’m not even counting the other night when we ran into one another at Mosaique. Alvaro and I talk every day, whether it’s a call or text. Half the time it’s nonsensical, a joke or meme that we share. So going all week without any contact has been hard to handle.
It feels like Roman’s been gone forever. I know he can pull strings to get drinks faster, since this is his place, after all. But I sense he’s stalling because ten minutes pass and there’s still no sign of him.
The music feels like it’s growing louder, harsher and heavier, or maybe that’s just the awkward tension enveloping us. My brother glances at me, huffing, and I swear I feel the weight of his disappointment pin me in place.
From the corner of my eye, I see him shift, sliding his hand inside his jacket. With bated breath, I half expect him to pull out his gun. I don’t know why that’s the first thought to go through my head, because this is my brother. We’re two peas in a fucked up pod, and I know he’d never hurt me. I’m left speechless when he pulls out a black leather box, glancing up at me with a knowing smirk on his face.
“I’m not going to pretend I’m not pissed about this,” he explains.
“Vee, I?—”
He holds a hand up in the air, halting my words. I resist the anger that rises up at that action because it’s exactly what our dad would do. The similarities they share are both painful andastounding. “For the record, I’m not pissed that you want to be a cop,” he adds, sending me a pointed look. “I’m pissed that you felt you couldn’t tell me.”
“Would it have made a difference?” I ask genuinely.
Varo shrugs before leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, linking his hands together. “I think it might have been easier on both of us. I could’ve helped with Dad, saved the headache that he gives me on a daily basis about his little girl betraying him.”
I wince at the statement, hating how much it hurts. Hating how easy it was for my father to believe I’d betray the family. He never gave me the chance, and I never pushed for him to understand. A part of me was hesitant, scared I’d make the situation worse. We’re both to blame for the way things went down, and I know Haven is right; I need to make the first move to make amends. Starting with my brother is probably the easiest step.
“I never set out to betray anyone,” I croak, my heart heavy with the admission. “I have my reasons… I just…” I take a deep breath, but before I can explain further, my brother interrupts.
“I get it,” he says with a nod.
My brows crease, my heart pounding as I wonder whether Roman has disclosed my real motivations for wanting to join the police.No, there’s no way he would betray my trust like that. Roman might be an ass, but he’s put so much effort into embedding himself back in my life. He wouldn’t throw that all away, unless…
“But just in case you forgot,” he says, gesturing towards the leather box I’m still clutching in my sweating palm. “I’m not dad.”
He places his hand over mine, sympathy etched in his gaze. After a week of silence and our awkward encounter at Mosaique, I finally feel like the gravity of the situation seems a little lessbleak. Sure, I still need to fix things with my dad, but if Varo is on my side, then it’ll make things a hell of a lot easier.
“Don’t you want to know why?”
Shaking his head, he pulls his hand away and gestures to the leather box. “You’re your own person, Lani. I know you better than anyone, so I know your reasons for doing this must be justified. I don’t need to know why, sis. I trust you.”
His words settle over me like a comforting blanket that has me wrapping my arms around my brother’s neck. He hugs me tightly, his chest expanding with a sharp breath. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he sighs, pulling away from me.
“Me too,” I murmur, glancing back at the box. I don’t know why, but the prospect of opening it is unnerving.
“Are you gonna open the damn thing or what?” Varo snorts.
Prying the box open, I see the glint of gold sparkle before a gasp chokes me. I push the lid all the way, my eyes settling on the most beautiful gold watch I’ve ever seen; mom’s watch. I’ve seen it countless times before, but it still takes my breath away at how stunning it is, glittering and glowing under the dancing spotlights ahead. Feeling my lip wobble slightly, I glance up at him. It’s impossible to put into words exactly how much this means to me; a signal of her acceptance of my choice.
“Give him time, Lani.” Varo sets a hand on my shoulder and delivers a comforting squeeze. “He’ll come around.”
“You think so?” I ask hopefully.
“Despite what you might think, you’ll always be daddy’s precious girl.”
I roll my eyes, scoffing at the statement. My dad has a pretty weird way of showing his love towards me. I probably don’t make it easy on him, but isn’t it a parent’s job to love unconditionally? I see the way he looks at our mom; she’s his entire world and nothing could change that. He respects my brother, enough to step aside and let him take the reins. But Idon’t feel like there’s a connection between us at all. Even as a kid, we were never that close. I spent more time with my Aunt Lexie than I did with my own dad.
Sometimes I wonder if that fueled the tension between us, but I can’t really recall a time where we ever shared a father-daughter moment that wasn’t filled with sharp words and anger.
“Does mom know?” I gulp.
He nods, smiling gently. “It’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”
