Getting everyone out of the house and to the airport felt as if it took hours. By the time we were in the air, I was chomping at the bit. The pilot couldn’t get me to Northern California fast enough. The whole way there, I kept opening the app on my phone, checking to see if Nova was at home or school, but I couldn’t find her on any of the cameras.

“Relax. She’s at graduation practice,” Garret said as he dropped down into the chair beside me. “I just got a text from her.”

“She texted you but not me?”

He smirked. “I guess she loves me more than she does you today.”

I couldn’t contain my growl. Nova loved me more than anyone else, every day of the week, no matter what.

But I had to admit I liked how much happier she’d been since Garret had started acting more human. The joy I’d heard in her voice when she’d called to tell me how Mother’s Day with her family had gone was something I would never forget.

“She texted me to ask if I’d changed my mind about bringing my girlfriend. I asked Lis to come, but she had something come up at the last minute and couldn’t make it.” He pushed his fingers through his dark-blond hair in frustration. “I guess she’s still skittish and didn’t want to meet my parents yet.”

“Once she meets Nova, I’m sure she’ll calm down,” I assured him. Nova was putting the change in her brother down to this Lis woman he’d met, and I had to admit she’d been good for him. Garret had kept her to himself for the most part, but I could understand not wanting to share. I wouldn’t share my angel with anyone if I didn’t have to. “Your sister has a way of putting people at ease. It’s a gift you obviously didn’t inherit.”

He snorted. “Obviously.”

I glanced over my shoulder. Samara was deep in conversation with Ciana, but I still lowered my voice as I leaned in closer. “Any news on Ramirez?”

Garret’s jaw popped, but he shook his head. “Bastard was spotted two weeks ago, but that was the last time anyone saw him. I don’t know what brought him back to New York so suddenly, but you better believe, this time, he won’t be leaving alive.”

“Make sure of it,” I told him. “After Matias died, we took his territory and cornered the coke market. Manuel is not going to take it away from us.”

“I hear you, brother.” He twisted his neck left and right in an attempt to get the tension out of it. “I have my men watching for him. If he’s spotted while we’re gone, I’ll head back early and deal with him myself since Zayne is in Chicago.”

“About that.” I lowered my voice even more. “Pop and Zio are talking about keeping Zayne there full time. That means you will move up.”

Garret’s eyes narrowed on me. “Are you okay with that?”