Page 92 of When Sinners Dare

“You were in. This is our house. And you knew we had things to discuss.”

He’s in one of his moods, and I can see I won’t win on any front. “Fine. Ready when you are then.”

“Where’s Kai?”

“He’ll be down in a minute. I wanted us to talk, first.”

“Mariana,” he pinches the bridge of his nose.

“No. Listen, what was yesterday about? Turning on Kai? He didn’t deserve that – you’d already made your point.”

“Not how we see it. Do I need to remind you what happened to Antony?”

“That’s a fucking low blow, even for you. I love Kai. He’s my choice. He’s with me, and that means he’s in.”

He stares at me, but I hold my nerve and keep looking him dead in the eye.

“And why should some ex-con tattoo artist get to be part of us?”

“Because I asked. And because I don’t want to be in a position to have to choose like Dante did. You take it to Kai. If he’s in, he’s in. It’s his call.” He looks uncomfortable at the mention of Dante’s name, and I know he’s still hurting – like we all are. The guilt is something I’m going to have to live with because it’s not going to vanish anytime soon. “Don’t even pretend you don’t think he’s capable, Abel. He is, and you know it. This is my choice – the right choice for all of us – and you will accept it. I’m not explaining any further than that. I shouldn’t need to.”

Seconds tick past in silence, but I keep my eyes level and steady with his. This is my moment, and after everything we’ve been through, it’s time for some fucking respect.

“Here,” he eventually says, as he pulls something from his jacket. Nothing further on the conversation, apparently. I look at what he’s handing me – a gun – and I immediately think back to the one I picked up to shoot Chance. This one’s lighter.

“What is this?”

“Call it an insurance policy. You seem to have a problem with trouble. But you stepped up with Chance and showed us you can handle one; now maybe this will ensure you’re covered.”

I turn the gun over in my hand and run my thumb along the side of the barrel. There’s nothing sentimental or accepting in Abel’s words, but something inside of me takes this as significant – a sign for once – that could show some increased level of trust.

“You’ll learn to shoot properly, otherwise, it’s of no benefit. Knox can take you. Talk to him about it.”

“Am I interrupting?” Kai announces himself at the doorway.

“No.” I look at Abel. “We’re finished.” I place the gun on the side table before threading my fingers between Kai’s as he joins me. He looks to the gun and at me.

“I’ll explain later.”

Abel stands and begins to pace the living room.

I’m left wondering if anything I’ve said will have got through to him.

“We have a problem in this family. Dante’s left a particularly specialised position vacant.” My throat tightens at his words, and I hope this will remain an amicable discussion.

“Abel, I-”

“I’m not talking to you, Mariana. I’m talking to Kai.” He levels Kai with his stare that would turn lesser people to cowering idiots. “This is your one chance, Kai. I haven't got time to debate it. In or out. It’s that fucking simple.”

He puts his hands in his pockets and waits. Nothing more, no details, just an in or an out. I look sideways at Kai because I know what that means in this family. It’s what I want – what I asked for – but I didn’t think he’d come out and ask like this. Lexi is the only other person who’s been let in fully, and that was only under Abel’s control.

It’s ironic that I don’t know if I want to run to my brother and thank him or turn to Kai and tell him to run. He shouldn’t have this ultimatum, but I want him in my life. Maybe a part of me will be damned to hell for allowing this to happen to the man I’m in love with, but I’m a Cortez, after all.

But it’s got to be Kai’s choice.

“In,” Kai confirms, squaring off at Abel, and I can’t help but feel proud in that instant.

“Good. We’ll talk to the family at lunch.”

---