Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
REV
It’s been three weeks.
Three excruciating weeks of no responses from Dante to my calls or texts.
After Kai released Laz from care, the two álvarez brothers went home. Sinro still provides security for them, but not on a constant rotation now that SIXX has all but disappeared from the city.
I’m totally calm and collected. I didn’t cut off Mauricio’s eyelids before my 8 a.m. meeting this morning. I didn’t listen to him cry while I dunked a powdered donut in my coffee and ate it slowly.
Mauricio earned my mercy after he gave me the details on the rest of his masked friends. Then I left him for Henry to play with.
As far as leftover SIXX go, we’ve got a whole-ass fancy team dedicated to eradicating their scattered leftovers. We launched the idea to new recruits after my second cup of coffee.
To my surprise, Isaac volunteered to head it up. I haven’t known a Vincent brother to ever leave a hundred-mile radius of the city. Should be an interesting adjustment for him.
By 7 p.m., I find myself outside of my boss’s penthouse doors. Cain’s working late, doing what he does best to smooth over events with local police and our government contacts.
But it’s not his company I’m here for.
Ezra cracks open the door, face pinched slightly in confusion.
“Don’t get many visitors up here, do you?” I smirk.
Their suite takes up the entire top floor of Sinro.
During my first tour of it, I’d teased about room for extra little Vincents.
Cain and Ezra had shut me down immediately, stating they didn’t have the time to dedicate to kids.
Ezra had added that he was worried about the danger in our line of work.
To a certain extent, I understand. I’m just selfish in that my chaotic brain likes the idea of half a dozen little ones running around with Dante’s curls and fiery attitude.
Ezra’s expression softens. He swings the door wide open for me, and I chuckle at his attire. He’s wearing one of Cain’s fitted T-shirts, only, it’s almost a dress on him. He’s paired this with gray skinny jeans and uncombed hair.
“Cain’s not here,” Ezra says.
“Can’t I spend time with you?”
He gives me an accusing look. “What did you do now?”
“Always assuming the worst of me, pretty boy.”
Wandering into the space, I take in the warm brown and beige tones of the home they created together. Strategically placed plants bring pops of green to the living room, and there are fluffy throw blankets on the backs of almost every oversized chair.
I plop onto their sectional, spreading my arms along the back of it. Ezra perches on the armrest next to me like a cute little gargoyle.
“You’re troubled,” he says.
“I am troubled.” I sigh heavily. “Dante’s ignoring me. It makes me feel even more off-center than usual.”
Ezra flips his lip ring back and forth with the tip of his tongue. “Big emotions take time to process.”
“Yeah, but how much time? All he’s been doing is sleeping and working.”
Ezra gives me a sympathetic look. “That actually sounds really sad. But also, no more stalking. Give him space.”
My head rolls to the side so I can look at him. “How long do I wait, Ezra?”
“Until he comes back to you.”
I make a pouty face. “Will you lock me up if I ask you to? Tie me in a closet? Chain me up in the basement?”
“No, but I’m sure there’s plenty of other people in the building willing to do that.” He smiles.
I chuckle. “I’m sure you’re right.”
The lock on the front door clicks. When Cain calls out to his husband, Ezra’s body coils up as if he wants to spring into action. He forces himself to stay put for my sake.
“I’m here. We have company,” he answers.
“Do I not give you enough attention?” Cain strides into view, deep-brown eyes falling on me with irritation. “The fuck do you want at this time of night?”
A laugh slips from me. I should visit more often. The sheer entertainment has been worth the endless elevator ride into space. “Advice from your husband.”
Cain tosses his suitcase down on the kitchen island and walks over to sit down on the couch. “About what?”
“Oh, this is a true therapy session now,” I say.
“He misses Dante,” Ezra fills him in.
Cain raises a brow. “You haven’t fucked that up already, have you?”
“Ezra, wrangle him, please,” I reply, pretending to pick lint off my slacks.
Ezra leaps over to his husband and fists his shirt in a hand. “Be nice.”
Cain visibly melts. His body. His eyes. His insides. He grabs Ezra and pulls him onto his lap, stealing a kiss from him that makes something inside me tighten uncomfortably.
“Rub it in,” I mumble.
Ezra wiggles to Cain’s side, and Cain finally turns his attention back to me. “You look like shit.”
“Fuck you too,” I mutter.
“Hey, Rev’s processing heartbreak in whatever demented form he’s capable of,” Ezra says.
Cain nods in agreement, and I sigh before moving my gaze to the ceiling. They’re really too much to watch. One can’t help but fall into envy. Or maybe jealousy. It’s hard picking through all these emotions I was told I may never experience. I used to give them no space in my brain.
The cushion next to me dips as Ezra returns to my side. “He’ll come back to you. He’s in love with you.”
I smile, despite the fact that I don’t believe his words. Ezra doesn’t mean to lie, but he doesn’t like to see people hurting, either.
“You’re good at feelings, pretty boy,” I say.
Ezra shrugs. “I work around misfortunate kids all day.”
I hear Cain opening the fridge and pulling out ingredients. It’s a signal for me to leave. To slink back to my apartment, where no one will be waiting for me to share a meal or a bed with.
“I know when I’m not wanted.” Pushing to my feet, I ruffle Ezra’s hair and head for the door. “Thanks, Ezra.”