“Yeah, and you put me in my place for it. That’s what I’m doing here.” I point an angry finger and practically hiss at him. “I’m telling you she’s fucking worth it—whateveritis. If you can’t back me on that, then get the fuck out of my house.”
Sante stills as he studies me, his hands propping resignedly on his hips. “You’re telling me this is it?” he asks in a solemn tone.
I’m not entirely sure what he’s asking, but either way, the answer is yes. I give a single nod.
“Alright, then. If she’s the one, I’m behind you one hundred percent.” He extends a hand, and I take it, relieved to know my best friend still has my back.
“Renzo’s gonna be pissed,” I warn him.
“We wouldn’t be family if we didn’t piss each other off. Now, come on. Let’s have a drink.”
CHAPTER 16
DANIKA
I’d already goneto my room when the yelling started. It’s quiet now, but the shouts still echo in my mind. Not only am I putting Tommy in grave danger, I’m coming between him and his best friend—probably his entire family.
I feel wretched.
Tommy’s life is being turned upside down. My mom has already been attacked once and is living in constant danger. I’m not sure Gran would survive a run-in with one of Biba’s men. They’re all suffering, and I’m curled up in a lush, cozy bed like a princess in the top of her storybook tower. It’s not right.
I don’t want to give in to Biba’s demands, but I’m not sure I can stand the alternative either. It all feels so hopeless. A viscous, suffocating sense of desolation drags me into a fitful night’s sleep. When I wake the following morning, the sun is out, and I feel more tired than when I went to bed. I consider staying in bed all day until the savory smells of breakfast manage to coax me back to life.
“Hey,” I offer quietly as I sit at the kitchen bar.
“Good morning.” Tommy gives me a glance over his shoulder, then turns off the stove. “Cleaners will be here today, just so you know.”
“Okay, I’ll stay out of their way.”
He brings over two fully loaded plates of breakfast and begins to chow down on his. Despite the delicious smell, I’m suddenly struggling to find my appetite.
“Something wrong?” He pauses.
I use my fork to move the eggs around my plate, struggling to find the right words. “I’ve just been thinking that maybe I’m being too selfish by running away from reality. I mean, maybe this Reaper guy isn’t all that bad. I could be putting everyone in danger for nothing.”
His fork clatters onto his plate. “It’s not for nothing. It’s your fucking life.”
“I know, but who am I to put so many others at risk to avoid a future that might not be so bad? This Reaper guy could be a lot like you—” My words die as I realize I’m only making things worse. “I just meant, you guys may live outside the law, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re horrible people.”
Yeah, I’m definitely making it worse.
Tommy stands abruptly, his chair screeching backward. He goes to the fridge and pours two glasses of orange juice.
“I’m sorry, Tommy,” I say softly. “I’m not trying to offend you. In fact, I’m trying to protect you.”
“Don’t need your protection.” He plunks the juice glasses down in front of us angrily.
I have a tiny urge to smile. For a grown man who can be plenty terrifying, he has a hidden boyish side that tugs at my heart.
“You’re helping me. Am I not allowed to do the same for you?” I ask gently.
“Not if it means putting yourself in danger.”
“That’s just the reality I was born into. There’s no changing it.”
“There will be once you’re my wife.” He says the words just as I take a swig of juice, causing me to choke and spill some down the front of me. I cough a few times, then look down to see what damage I’ve done to my pajama top. It’s going to need a wash for sure. I reach for a napkin to wipe the sticky juice from my chest when Tommy’s single-word command slices through the air.
“Stop.”
