Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Rico and I met three years ago when I was in Miami. He proposed when I came home. We asked you here tonight so we all can get acquainted.”
“We who?”
“Rico, his mom and dad. Please, Mom, Rico and I love each other.”
Brenda places a hand to her forehead and the other on her hip. My stomach sinks. This isn’t going how we wanted.
“Are you close with your uncle? Is he involved in your life? What is it you do for a living?”
“I’m not close with my uncle. We don’t see eye to eye on some things he has done. However, he is involved in my life. I run a few clubs and manage some properties,” I reply.
“Fuck, I need a drink,” she gasps.
“What? What’s going on, Mom? Rico makes good money, but I don’t rely on him for my income. What’s the problem?”
“Oni, please shut up. I can’t do this right now. I can’t sit and pretend you’re not lying to my damn face. Not when you’re involved with these people.”
Oni jerks her head back. People are starting to stare, so I lead them both to have a seat at the table. My thoughts are all over the place.
“Can I have two fingers of whiskey?” Oni’s mom says to the waitress she waved over. “Make that three.”
“Mom?”
She shakes her head, then places her elbow on the table and palms her forehead in her hand. I look to Oni and she looks like she’s about to lose it. I lean in and peck her lips then whisper into her ear.
“It’s going to be okay. She’s just in shock.”
The waitress comes back with Brenda’s drink. She downs it in one gulp. For the second time, Oni and I refuse a drink, but Brenda asks for another.
“I’ve known from the beginning you weren’t telling me the whole truth, but Claude was backing you. Never in a million years did I think he would allow you to get mixed up with their family.
“I turned a blind eye because you went away to school. I thought I finally got you away from their world. Engaged?
“How is that even possible? A few clubs and manage some properties.” She scoffs. “Do you know that’s the same bullshit he and your father told me when I met them?”
“Mom, slow down, my head is spinning.”
“Does he know?” She looks to me with her last question.
“Yes, my uncle knows.”
“Oni, I can’t allow this. Emilio will eat you alive.”
“I hate to hear that’s how you feel about me, but you’re wrong, Brenda. Oni has a special place in my heart. I would never allow any harm to come to her.”
Brenda stiffens and slowly turns to look up at my uncle. I glare at him, wondering what the hell he’s doing here. I didn’t invite him.
“How dare you?” Oni’s mom hisses. “What kind of sick game are you playing? Have you done this to pay me back?”
“Believe it or not, they found each other on their own. It was his car she stole. This wasn’t my doing.”
“But you knew she was mine from the moment you first set eyes on her, didn’t you?”
He nods. “I did. She looks so much like you and Jack.”
“Oni, we’re leaving. Take that ring off and leave it here.”
Uncle Emilio unbuttons his suit jacket and takes the seat on the other side of Brenda. Pop and my mother move to sit on the other side of me. I sit watching Oni as she tries to decide what to do next.
“Sit down, Brenda,” Uncle Emilio barks.
Brenda jerks her head back and glares at him. However, seeing Oni hasn’t left my side, Brenda sighs and reclaims her seat. I reach to grasp the back of Oni’s neck and kiss her temple.
“Having my husband killed and taking her father from her wasn’t enough? He was her world. Why can’t you people just leave us alone?
“First Finn, now you. I wouldn’t be what you wanted and you’ve made my life hell because of it,” Brenda says.
“This has nothing to do with us. My nephew is genuinely in love with your daughter. I tried to pull them apart, but I only drove them closer together.
“I’ve learned that they belong together and pulling them apart will only ruin them both. The two have potential as individuals, but they are magic together. They remind me of what could have been had we stayed together,” Uncle Emilio says as he looks at Brenda in a way I’ve never seen him look at his wife.
“But we didn’t stay together. You know why we didn’t. How will any of that be different for them?”
“Because I will make it so. I have the power to make it so. I’m doing for them what no one would do for us. I didn’t take Jack away from you and Oni. That blood isn’t on my hands—”