Page 103 of Fate's Dice

"Don't listen to them." I shake my head.

Although, it's true. I did dance a lot when I was younger but only with my mom. She loved dancing, still does, but I haven't in years. As for the moonwalk, Letty is full of shit. I only ever danced cumbias and some salsa.

"Vegas King is on his way up with Jefa and Nico. Still no sign of Reyes Generals." Brian says as he takes a seat.

I see Dice straighten and smooth out her dress, "You look beautiful, doll. Don't let your anxiety rule you. Manuel is rough and talks out of his ass sometimes but he's anxious to meet you. I'll be right here with you."

"We all will." Hector says and I see the surprise on Dice's face at his words.

It's not that Hector and Dice don't really talk, it's just that Hector rarely shows his protectiveness for anyone outside of the Familia. He's usually brooding and stoic, but I know how much he cares for Dice. She's like a sister to him.

"Thanks, Hec." Dice tells him just as a knock sounds at the door. I rise from my seat, but Dice stays sitting with Letty holding her hand, offering her support.

Hector opens the door to Jefa and Nico with Manuel standing behind them. He has his arrogant smirk in place but as they walk in and he makes eye contact with my woman, I see his façade crack a bit.

"Manuel, I'd like to introduce you to my wife and your sister, Dice." I put a little warning in the words, though I don't think I truly need to. Not with the way Manuel seems to thaw when he sees Dice.

"Hermana. Mi hermosa hermana."Sister. My beautiful sister.

Dice looks at me and I give her a wink before shaking hands with the Cartel Queen and Sicario. I keep my eye on Dice and Manuel, but I know this reunion will be something Dice will treasure forever.

I stare at my brother with so many different emotions running through me. I see them flashing in his eyes as well. Neither of us is quite sure how to move forward with this.

"You look just like dad." I finally tell him.

He chuckles and steps closer, placing his hands on my shoulders, "I could say the same for you only you're much prettier than our old man." His accented voice makes me think of Tequila. I bet he's a charmer.

I smirk at him and gesture to the sofa. I do a quick look around and see the others talking. Leo speaks with the man and woman who came in, but he keeps his eye on me. Letty chats with Brian behind me but Hector, my stoic friend, stands silently at the door. Like a sentinel guarding over us.

I pour a drink for my brother--that's still weird to think--and hand it to him before really getting a good look at him.

He's dressed like the Boss he is. Dark grey suit that fits his perfectly, hugging his muscular arms. He's not as broad as Leo but he's definitely built like a man who can kill with his hands. His hands are covered in ink Spanish words along his knuckles. The tattoos don't cover up the roughness of his skin though. His hands look like he bare-knuckle fights often.

The cocky smirk he had on when he first entered the room showed me a glimpse of the Don he is. There's a wicked gleam in his eyes but when he looked at me, it was like all his walls fell to allow me entry. I felt the same in me. Though my caution is still high, I can't help but want to know my brother.

"How old are you?" It surprises me that he asked. He's got as many connections as Leo so I'm pretty sure he already knows, but this is our first meeting and it's nice to hear the facts from each other rather than intel.

"I'll be twenty-three in April. you?"

"I'm twenty-three today." He says with a smirk. Damn, he looks his age, but his eyes and demeanor say he's years older. No doubt he's seen and done more than most men his age.

Wait. Did he say today?

"Today is your birthday?" His smile is genuine and a touch sweet. I'm sure he only shows that smile to a select few, if any.

I throw my arms around him, surprising us both, "¡Feliz cumpleaños! Happy birthday, Manny!" I kiss his cheek and pull back.

Manuel chuckles, "Manny, huh? I like it, but only you can call me that."

I smirk, matching his, and nod my head. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but I’ve been calling him that in my head so much that it just kinda slipped.

Mannyreaches into his pocket and takes out a long black velvet box. I watch as he opens it and pulls out a gold chain necklace. Whatever charm is on it, is hidden in his palm.

"My mother and our father used to be best friends when they were kids. Their fling was truly that,a fling. No romance like what he had with your mother, but they were very close." Manny's eyes don't mist over or become glassy, but his voice holds true depth. "Before Julian died, he and my mother traded necklaces. This is the one Julian gave to her, and it was cherished by my mother until the day she died."

He hands it to me like it's the most delicate thing in the world. I look from his eyes to the feather light chain. The charm on the end is a golden plate with our father's name on it with designs engraved to either side of it. Each of the four corners has a tiny diamond in it.

"This is beautiful. I can see how much it was cherished, it's in pristine condition. I wish I could have met your mother."

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