Page 40 of Now and Forever

As we were saying our goodbyes, my brother appeared. It was the first time I’d seen him since the reception. His dark hair was combed back, but his eyes looked tired. Either he’d had too much to drink at the reception, or he hadn’t had much sleep. Stuffing his hands into the front pockets of his jeans, he looked me up and down. “You did good.” Em lowered his voice. “He’s still standing.” He tilted his head toward Dario who was talking to our father. “You must not have stabbed him hard enough.”

“I didn’t stab him.”

“Keep the knife and holster. You can’t trust the Italians to keep you safe.”

“I have to trust him, Em. He’s my husband.”

“Don’t be naïve, Cat. There are plenty of women in our world and in his who aren’t safe with their husbands. Just because Papá isn’t like that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”

I was well aware of that. Was Nick one of them? Was Em? Were either one of them men who hurt women? I wanted to ask about what Dario told me but feared if I did, he’d tell Nick, and I’d put the woman at Wanderland in danger. Instead, I forced a smile. “Thank you for caring.”

Em wrapped me in a hug. “If he hurts you, stab him in the groin,” he whispered. “He’ll bleed out before help can arrive.”

When I pulled away, a smile filled my brother’s face. And then like the passing of a shadow, his joy faded and darkness took over as Dario appeared at my side.

Em stood taller and puffed his chest. “Take care of her.” Thankfully, he left his threat unsaid.

“Catalina is now under the protection of the famiglia. You don’t need to worry about her.”

Em stiffened his neck and shoulders but didn’t reply.

“I love you,” I said with a wave as Papá, Mama, Camila, and Miguel entered one car, Uncle Gerardo, Em, and Nick got in another, and the third cartel car filled with Mireya, Sofia, Aunt Maria, and Uncle Nicolas.

Dario wrapped his arm around my waist beside the large fountain on the paved driveway as the three cars drove away.

“They’re gone.” The joyful announcement came from behind us.

Dario and I turned to see Dante practically bounding down the front steps.

My new brother-in-law patted my shoulder. “Sorry, Catalina. I’m just relieved no one was killed.”

“Dante,” Dario scolded.

“Oh, come on. I thought all bets were off when Herrera showed up and then that stunt by Aléjandro.”

Dario squeezed my hand. “Why don’t you go make sure the maids have your things packed? We’ll be leaving soon.”

“Is this your way of getting me to leave so you two can badmouth my family?”

“She’s a smart one,” Dante said. He turned my direction. “You’reourfamily now. We only talk trash about one another when we’re drunk. And today, I’m pitifully sober.”

“Armando is inside,” Dario said. “He can carry your things to the car.”

That was his second hint for me to leave.

By the time I made my way upstairs to the bedroom we’d shared last night, the bed was remade, the sheets hopefully burnt, and all my things from the other bedroom were on and near the bed. I hurried to my suitcase, worried that someone had found Em’s knife. Opening the top, I unzipped a back lining pocket and breathed a sigh of relief that the knife was where I’d left it.

“Mrs. Luciano.”

I turned, seeing Armando in the doorway. “Catalina, please.”

Armando tilted his head. “Clear that with the boss and I’ll oblige.”

“I guess that means I’m not the boss.”

Armando shook his head with a knowing grin. “You’re putting me in a bad place. Mr. Luciano likes certain formalities.”

“If I’m going to be spending my days with you, I think I have some say. Let’s agree to Catalina when Dario isn’t present.”

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