Page 118 of Manny

Her mouth opens, and she pales a little. I want to run over there and stand in front of her, protecting her from anyone who’s shouting, even her own brother. She looks terrified. All guns are drawn, and I know this won’t do well with her anxiety.

“Stop it,” Manny says again, releasing Riot. “Raising your voice at Lace won’t help matters. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

Riot does a double take. “Who the fuck are you to tell me how I can and can’t talk to my own sister?”

I see Lace cringe and fuck it, I push past Manny and Riot and move toward her. “You okay?”

She looks up at me, nodding. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you saying sorry to him?” Riot stomps over and I brace myself. My face stings, but the bastard ain’t gonna get another punch in, that much is for sure. Manny follows behind and Riot is so mad he looks like he’s gonna explode.

“We’re friends,” Manny says. “And sometimes when your sibling is in trouble, you fly a little off the handle, so we’re here to mediate and make sure club business isn’t spread across the rest of the French Quarter.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Riot shakes his head. “Lace, I need to talk to you.Alone.”

Cash says something to Mateo, but I can’t work out what, because they’re too far away.

“Anything you say to me you can say in front of them,” Lace says, her spine straightening. “We’ve nothing to hide.”

Riot narrows his eyes, then points at me. “You fuckin’ him?” He turns to me, eyes blazing. “Are you really messin’ with my sister?”

Manny steps between us before Riot can hit me again and I hear Harlem curse as he moves toward us. He’s a lot bigger than Manny, and forms more of a brick wall between me and Riot.

“Just calm the fuck down, Riot,” Harlem pleads. “None of this is gonna get solved with you throwin’ your weight around. Like Hustler said, we need to leave before the cops arrive.”

“He was supposed to protect her, not slide into her bed like she’s some sweet butt.” Riot tries to reach me again, but I shove him in the shoulder.

“Don’t ever call her that! It’s not like that,” I grit, ready to punch him. “We… I… the three of us didn’t mean it to happen.”

Oh, fuck.The words are out before I can stop them.

“The three of us?” Riot doesn’t miss that. He’s the sharpest tool in the shed. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”

“Me, Manny and Bandit,” Lace whispers. “We may as well get it all out on the table. We’ve been… um, dating each other.”

Riot’s eyes go wide and he balks, temporarily stunned. “I don’t fuckin’ believe this.”

“Holy shit,” I hear someone mutter behind us, Tag maybe, but I can’t be sure. There’s too much going on. At least Cash and Mateo aren’t holding guns at each other’s heads.

“Is this why you wanted Lace movin’ into your condo?” Riot shoves at Manny. “To get her into your bed as well ashis!”

“Would you stop yelling!” Lace shouts. “I’m trying to have a conversion and explain, but you just want to scream over the top of everyone and not let me speak. I was seeing Bandit first, andthen things with Manny kinda just… happened. We didn’t plan it, and no, Manny didn’t get me to move in just to get into my panties. He has a lot more substance than that.”

“You’re seein’ both of them?” Riot screws his nose up. “For real, Lace?”

“Leave her alone,” Manny interjects. “She’s clearly upset and doesn’t need you barking at her.”

“Wait, are you and Bandit…” He points to me and Manny. Somehow, that’s even worse news.

“No,” Manny says at the same time I say, “Yes.” I appreciate that Manny is trying to protect my honor or whatever, but frankly, I’m done with lies and hiding. I’m so fuckin’ done.

“Take it easy,” Harlem warns. “Just calm the fuck down or none of us will be gettin’ outta here alive.”

“I’m not hearin’ this.” Riot is shaking his head. “I’m not, it’s not happenin’.”

“Now probably isn’t the time to bring all this shit up,” I mutter. They’ll hear soon enough, but I don’t want it broadcast across the cafe. “But I’m bi, okay. It’s all very recent, and I’m still workin’ my way through shit.”

Riot stares at me like I have two heads. “Since when are you bi? And into…Manny?”

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