I was so high off the moment of normalcy I hadn’t even noticed the smell. Benito pushed off the wall, his weighted gaze rooting me to the spot as he stepped forward. He took another drag as he stopped right in front of me. He was far taller than me, but my brother had never ruled it over me, at least not since we were children. I tilted my head back slightly.

“You still have that picture?”

My stomach clenched, knowing exactly which one he was referring to. I fought to continue meeting his gaze head-on. The normalcy was slipping away before I was ready for it to.

“Yes.”

Benito nodded and moved to walk past me. He placed a heavy hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “You know why I made you keep it, don’t you?”

“So I wouldn’t repeat my mistake.”

Benito’s hold tightened. “Are you?” I turned to look at my oldest brother. His gaze was unwavering. “Are you repeating your mistakes, Enzo?”

My heart rate slowed as my fingertips went cold. My instant answer should be no. However, Tex’s face flashed before me and how I’d let him walk out of my place. I hadn’t even checked him over.

“Enzo.” Benito’s voice dropped an octave. “Non mentirmi, fratello.”

My tongue felt heavy in my mouth, and the blood that covered me felt tight. I wanted to wash it all off. The longer I stood there with it on me, the more it felt as if I was in a closet-sized room that was shrinking by the second.

If I told him the truth, Tex would meet the same fate. Or he’d be taken from me, and that thought made breathing hard.

“Focus.” Rapid-fire Italian came from Benito.

To me, it sounded like garbled-up words with static being played over it. I opened my mouth to ask what, but that didn’t work either. My chest began to burn, and I stood there frozen, unable to talk.

“Breathe, fratello.” Benito pressed our foreheads together. “You’re my brother, and we will always have each other.“

“Familia is everything.”

Benito pulled back, and some dry blood clung to his light brown skin. He wasn’t bothered by it, but my eyes wouldn’t leave the spot until he cleaned it off. He wiped his hand over it, and the pieces fluttered to the ground.

“Do I need to get involved?”

I shook my head. “I won’t repeat the mistake.”

Benito’s shoulders relaxed. “Good.” He patted my shoulder before walking toward the exit. He stopped before he stepped out. “Find out who’s betraying us.”

I would. I just hoped it had nothing to do with Tex.

Chapter 15

Four days, and I was still no closer to knowing what I should do with Tex. I wanted Tex under me at all times, but my wants weren’t exactly reality. I knew that more than anyone.