Page 60 of Vicious Savage

“He’s only doingwhat he believes is in your best interests,” Nadia says, looking at me with sympathetic eyes. I’m so glad I have her to remind me to look at things differently. She’s been here only days, but already she’s developed enough of a rapport with my brothers to understand why they’re doing what they’re doing.

“I want to be here with my brothers,” I argue.

“You’ve been away from them for three years, Luna. Another half a year won’t kill you.”

“I know that, but still. It just hurts being sent away.”

“This is how they keep you safe. There’s four of them, Luna, and they’re all in agreement. You know what I’d do to have just one brother who cares for me that way?”

I give her a lop sided grin then elbow into her. “You have Cesar for that.”

I haven’t missed the way they’ve been around each other the past few days; always finding a corner to lurk in as they talk. Cesar gives her his rapt attention. Nadia is animated as she tells him stories about her life teaching kids. I watch as his eyes track her across the patio, or as she moves when she sets down platters of chopped fruit on the table for all the men to enjoy. And I’m glad for her. I’m glad that she finally has a real man in her life. And I’m glad that Cesar is finally starting to move on from the tragedy of losing his wife prematurely.

60

ATTILA

“The jet’s fueled and ready for us,” I say, walking into the living room. It’s been a fun few days, but it’s time to get back home and down to business. It’s taken a while for the boys to convince Luna to come back to the States with me, but she finally relented, with a promise that she’d be back in six months, if not earlier.

“Take care of her, man,” Enzo says, as he leans in to slap me on the back in farewell.

“She’ll be well looked after,” I remind him, before moving along the line of boys and saying our farewells.

I wait in the car and watch as Luna clings to her brothers, each one in turn, then swipes at her eyes before she turns away and walks quickly to the car. We drive away in silence, my eyes fixed on her as she looks out the side window, her tears continuing to roll down her cheeks.

“Luna.”

She ignores me.

“Luna.”

She sighs and turns to me, doesn’t try to conceal the fact that she’s still crying. We haven’t spoken about what’s going to happen when we get back to Seattle. She may want to go back to Arizona. Maybe somewhere else. We haven’t discussed the mechanics of what’s happening, nor the logistics of her stay. But I more than welcome the possibility of her staying with me in Seattle.

“You can come back and visit any time you want to. And I’m sure once they’re settled, they’ll fly out to see you.”

“Why did they do this?”

“It’s the smart thing to do, Luna. If they let their guard down for one minute, they’ll regret it for the rest of their lives. They can’t focus on you and a business that’s in its infancy.”

“I would’ve thought I’d be more important to them than a business.”

My eyes soften in understanding. She thinks they chose the business over her.

“Luna. Coyin left your brothers with nothing.Nothing. What standard of living could they offer you without even a roof over their heads?”

“That bad?” she gasps, and I nod in answer.

“Coyin was a despicable man who did despicable things, but he was also bankrupt. Your brothers are starting from the bottom. That’s not an easy thing to do. And I commend them… for having the balls and the guts to go at it again.”

“So what will happen to them?”

“They’ll be fine, Luna. I promise you.” I lean my head back against the headrest then roll my head in her direction. “Before you know it, they’ll be on their feet again, and you’ll be on a plane back to them.”

* * *

Kingsley ribsme as soon as I walk into the dining area, my eyes scouring the room for Luna.

“I see you brought her back with you.”

---