Page 177 of The Slayer
Which would’ve been a death sentence with the Russians on his side.
“Fine,” he grunted but decided to take his food with him, because he was blitzed as hell and hungry as fuck. “I’ll go find him.”
“Follow the music,” Nova said as he pointed to the doors outside. Then he grabbed Chuito, and wrapped a hand around the base of Chuito’s neck. He kissed Chuito’s forehead like he did with his brothers. “Thank you. I love you too.”
“Okay,” Chuito said dismissively.
“I’ll make up for the fighting,” Nova said with a smile. “Twice as much as the fighting. Three times as much. Have you ever considered letting me manage your portfolio?”
“Please talk to me about money tomorrow.”
Nova gave him a look. “You don’t care about money?”
“Not right now.”
“He likes money,” his mother cut in.
Chuito held up his hand to his mother. “Let her discuss it.”
He left his mother to discuss his finances with Nova. It mattered more to her anyway. He walked outside and sat on the porch steps, finding Tino easily in the crowd of people dancing, because he was the best one on the lawn.
Really, Chuito had to just sit there and appreciate it, because Tino danced like he was made for it. He was in a sea of Latinos, who, if Chuito didn’t say so himself, could dancereallywell, and Tino made them all look like amateurs.
There was a fire burning in the corner. It was typical for a party, but Chuito knew his mother had burned his clothes. She’d probably burned the Morettis’ clothes too, because Nova had been wearing jeans, and Tino had on a Miami Heat T-shirt Chuito knew belonged to Marcos.
Who knew how many Italians had jacked Marcos and Chuito’s clothes after getting rid of all those bodies.
When the song switched to a salsa, Tino switched with it, dancing with not one, but two beautiful Latinas as if it was second nature.
“Where did an Italian learn to salsa like that?” Marcos asked as he sat next to Chuito, dragging Katie down with him. Both of them were sweaty and breathless from dancing as Marcos said, “I’m pretty sure that goes against nature.”
Chuito considered it as he ate, watching Tino dance like he should make a living at it, and then said in Spanish, “His old chica’s a dancer.” He knew now that was why dancing was Tino’s self-soothing technique. “A Broadway dancer.”
“I guess.” Marcos turned to Chuito. “Tía Sofia said I’m supposed to say congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Chuito took another bite of food. “Too bad she’s missing the party.”
“Is Alaine okay?” Katie asked.
“Yeah, I think she’ll be okay,” Chuito said as he gave Katie a smile, seeing that Miami was agreeing with her. Her long, curly brown hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and she was tanner than she’d been in Garnet, as if she’d spent a lot of time at the beach. “Like you, I guess we underestimated her. She’s tougher than she looks.”
“I’m sorry about today. I don’t know the details, but I know it was difficult,” Katie whispered softly as she reached past Marcos to squeeze his hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Chuito shrugged. “She’s alive. The rest we can figure out later.”
“Tiá Sofia said she needed a little herbal help,” Marcos said in concern. “Did it calm her down?”
Chuito nodded. “Yeah.”
“Chilled you too, I see.” Marcos laughed. “Your eyes are bloodshot, Chu.”
“Shit.” Chuito rubbed a hand over his eyes in response. “Is it really noticeable?”
“Who here gives a shit?” Marcos shrugged. “But what about the fighting?”
“Don’t ask me about the fighting.” Chuito groaned. “Please don’t ask me about it.”
Marcos was quiet for a long time. Chuito’s involvement with the mafia was a particularly sore subject for him, considering Chuito had officially committed himself to Nova to get Marcos out of the gang life.
