Garret lifted Ciana, causing her to squeal and smack at his chest as he switched places with her so we could talk. “I got this,” he muttered, leaning in close so no one on either side of us could hear. “You stay and make sure the rest of Nova’s weekend goes smoothly, and I’ll take care of Ramirez.”

“Be careful,” I cautioned. “The fucker obviously has a death wish, trying to screw with our supply. How did he have enough men to even attempt to steal that much blow?”

He scratched at the scruff on his jaw and chin, his green eyes narrowed as he considered the question. “He must have found out we were out of the state and figured it was the best time to make a move. We took over his fields when Matias died, and they are protected better than Fort Knox, so his only option would be to get the supply as it comes in. He has no supply of his own to sell on the streets. He’s a one-commodity tradesman. That’s all he knows, and he’s desperate.”

“If he knew we were away, then there is a leak somewhere. Find out who it is. I’ll deal with them when I get back tomorrow night.” My gaze went to Nova, who was glancing our way. When she noticed I was looking at her, she gave me a beaming smile and blew me a kiss. Some of my rage eased, and I returned the gesture before she focused on the mayor, who was now speaking onstage. “Wait to tell her and your parents goodbye before you head for the airport. I don’t want her to be disappointed that you left without congratulating her first.”

As soon as the ceremony was over, Garret went down to the field to tell his sister he had an emergency, while I pulled Pop and Zio aside to let them know what was going on back in New York. I ran several branches of the businesses on my own to make my father’s workload lighter, but I wasn’t fully in charge yet. I still answered to him and knew better than to keep something this important from him.

“Manuel should have been drowned at birth,” Pop muttered angrily. “He’s a piece of shit. Ten times worse than Matias ever claimed to be. Let’s end the motherfucker once and for all, save ourselves an even bigger headache down the road.”

“We will take care of him,” I promised. “I trust Garret to handle things until I get back tomorrow night.”

“Keep us updated,” Pop instructed. “But for now, go celebrate with Nova. She is more important than that scumbag.”

Ciana and Samara were already surrounding Nova when I reached my angel. She was laughing and bouncing from one to the other, accepting their loving embraces and praise before the rest of her local family began to demand her attention. I stood off to the side, allowing the others to dote on her, trying to curb my jealousy when those she wasn’t related to by blood lingered a little longer than I deemed necessary.