Page 21 of Cruel Devotion

A sigh came from the other end. “Moni, he was my uncle. You are my cousin. My favorite one. You know you have a special place in my heart. You can’t just be hanging around these guys like you have no options.”

“Banks, I know. I just wasn’t thinking.”

“I love you, Moni.”

“I love you too, Banks. I really do.”

“Unc is really dead?”

My voice shook. “Yes. . .”

“Fuck, Moni. You’re out there in Glory navigating around the Four Aces and Uncle Chris’s death. That’s not right. My momhas told you many times to stop dealing with all of this shit by yourself.”

“I didn’t want to bother you—”

“We are family!”

I stiffened.

Banks steadied his voice. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay.”

“It’s not.” Banks cleared his throat. “Moni. . .I love you. I swear I do.”

“I love you too, Banks.”

“You’re just one person.”

“I know.”

“Let me be more involved. I should have come out to Glory more. What the hell was I thinking? You guys needed a man in that place.”

“We didn’t need a man. I just had to get some footing—”

“You needed me. I should have been there.”

“Now is not the time to start blaming each other or ourselves, Banks. I have to bury Dad and help everyone get through this.”

“No, Moni. Let me.”

“What?”

“Let me take care of your father’s funeral. He was Rowe Street Mob at one time. One of the originals. We will give him a proper ceremony.”

A heavy weight lifted off my shoulders. “Okay. That would help.”

“Jo and the rest don’t know?”

“No.” I shivered. “I’m scared to do it.”

“Then, we will do it together, Moni.”

“That would help.”

“And. . .”

I raised my eyebrows. “And?”

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