“Yes,” I pant, fighting heavy eyelids.
My head spins while my limbs melt into the mattress. Tiredness shivers over me in an uncontrollable torrent. “What did . . . you . . . give . . . me?” I hear my whisper as the words float past my lips and darkness descends.
14
Five years ago
“I want you to meet someone.”
“Oh yeah?”
“A guy.” My sister twists a lock of hair threaded with sunny highlights.
“What fucking guy? You’re seeing someone?” My voice strains an octave higher with surprise.
She pouts, idling up beside me. “Stop it, Dante. I knew you’d overreact. Look, he’s a good guy, and he wants to meet the main man in my life.”
“Fuck, Gabriela, it’s my job to keep you safe. How the hell can I do that if you’re seeing guys behind my back.”
“You’re my brother. That doesn’t mean you have to be a cock blocker.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that. Who is he?”
Her beautiful face lights up, and silver-blue eyes twinkle. “He’s called Miguel.” She practically sighs out the loser's name as she sits.
“How long has this been going on—without my consent?”
She giggles, and I smile at the sound. My little sister's laugh is infectious. It’s been just the two of us since our parents were gunned down in a shootout. Wrong place. Wrong time. I’ve more or less raised her, which is probably why she’s my only priority. Gabriela has a thriving future ahead of her. Where I focused on bringing in the money, she studied hard for a decent education. As my business has grown financially, I’ve had the pleasure of funding her new venture—a flower shop that opened a few months ago. I've never been prouder of anyone or anything in my life.
We’ve struggled for years. Lived in the favelas. Foraged for basic rations. Now we live in a modest home surrounded by middle-class workers, lying low until I’m able to move us the fuck out of Rio.
One day she’ll start living her life without my interference. Until then, I’m the guy to steer her down the right path and apparently cock block her boyfriends.
“Oh, that doesn’t matter.”
“How long?” I narrow my eyes with suspicion.
“Six weeks.”
“Six fucking weeks?” I growl.
“You’re like a big moody parrot with ruffled feathers. I wouldn’t bring just any guy home. I’ve held off until I knew for sure.”
“Knew what for sure?”
“That you’d like him, silly. He’s gorgeous and charming, but most of all, he’s dying to meet you. So how about I invite him over for dinner this week?”
My head shakes. “No way. He’s not coming here. This is our home. It’s private. I don’t want a stranger sniffing about my office or my sister.”
Gabriela jumps up, her floral dress swooshes as her foot stomps. “Dante, that’s not fair. How come Maria can waltz in and out whenever you want a blow job. And don't pretend you guys only hug. I have ears, you know.”
She has a valid point. At the start, I kept Maria on the periphery of my life. Over the last few weeks, she’s shimmied her tight ass and bouncy tits into my space. It’s not love, far from it. The woman likes to fuck, and I’m happy to give it to her, my way. Our temporary arrangement works for now. I’m really strict about my personal space. No one, except Gabriela, gains access to my office. There’s confidential information and too many hints to reveal my financial talents. I clean money for the smaller cartels. Covertly moving cash from A to B and creaming a chunk off the top for my professional discretion. I’m a cyber magician.
“Sorry.” I grab her hand and kiss her knuckles. “I’ll put an end to the overnight visits. She followed me home one night and stripped at the front door. What could I say?”
“Ugh! Dante. Too much.” Her lashes flutter slowly, purposefully. “So . . . can I bring him home to meet my loving, overprotective, darling brother, please?” She presses her palms together in a prayer position and smiles sweetly. “I bet you guys will be best friends by the end of the evening.”
In reality, I’d do anything for her. If this makes her happy, then I'll back down. It’s not my intention to trap my sister or force her into a life of celibacy. “And if I think he’s an asshole?”
