Page 19 of Blood & Lace
That wasn't a secret. I just hadn't had time to clue my brothers in on what was happening. "Marriage, you know."
"What? No, I don't know, and Lucero, I'm pretty certain you don't know either."
I shrugged, not that he could see me.
"You have obligations," Emir started.
"Yes, to my husband."
"What about your family?"
I thought about it for a single second but there was only one clear answer. "Onyx is my family. I will do right by him no matter what."
Emir was silent for a second before he said the last thing I wanted to hear. "Maybe he doesn't want to be your husband."
"He does."
"Lucero—"
"Emir, if you're so worried about my work, why don't you go and cover for me."
"No way in hell am I doing that. I'm not Elia; they will eat me alive there."
I'd seen Emir fight. He wasn't nearly as capable as some of my brothers but he could hold his own. Our father had made sure of that. Every single one of us had grown up learning how to take care of our own. There weren't a whole lot of fights in the underground gambling ring I ran. I was mostly there to make sure everyone was taken care of. Something Emir could do with the help of Elia.
"Damian said you've taken off enough. Events have been canceled because you're not around."
"Tell him I'm still on my honeymoon and we've just changed locations."
Emir swore in Italian as he tried to convince me to leave my husband. Not happening, ever. Movement from the building caught my eye, and I put the newspaper to the side. Another one of those polo-collared douchebags that found themselves lucky to be around my husband headed my way. Papers in his hand that I was more than likely going to shove up his ass. I'd thought I'd scared the last one away.
"I have to go."
"Wait, Lucero. When are you coming home?" Emir asked.
I shrugged and grunted. "Whenever my husband is ready. I'm not rushing him to move into the house."
"Of course you won't. Fratello idiota. Perché sono nato in una famiglia piena di stronzi e idioti ?"
The guy was headed my way with a purpose in every step he took. I met his gaze and there was a sense of satisfaction written all over his face. I tried to recall if I'd seen him amongst the many people who'd come before him but couldn't place it. Then again, all I really thought about was Onyx.
Wonder if he's eaten yet?
I hadn't caught a glimpse of him yet for the day, but if I had to scale the building, I'd get to see him one way or another.
"Have to go, Onyx is watching me."
"That makes no sense and sounds creepy," Emir said. "Make sure you're taking care of yourself."
I looked around and took in a breath. "Getting plenty of fresh air and sunlight." I stayed sitting as the man approached. "Talk to you later." I hung up, ignoring anything else Emir had to say." How is my husband doing?" It was the same question I'd asked every single one of them that had dared approach me.
Unlike the others before him, this one sneered at me. It wasn't that I wasn't used to people looking at me with disgust, it was the way he stood up taller as if he could intimidate me.
"Better once he gets rid of you."
I shook my head. "No, me and Onyx are for eternity." I lifted my left hand, the one that sported my wedding ring proudly. "See, we vowed to be each other's backbone. For better or worse."
His lips dipped in a heavy frown, making him look closer to his mid-thirties.
