“Then I can see you tomorrow when it’s safe to fly.”

“And I can take you to this secret subway station.”

“There’s a secret subway station?”

“Orion showed me it today. It’s amazing.”

“What else is there to see?”

“The Brooklyn Bridge has incredible views and these love locks.”

“Love locks?”

“They’re cool. I’ll explain when I see you.”

“Can’t wait. What else?”

“You got to see Times Square. This is where it all happens.”

One phone call changed my life. Another is changing Orion’s.

“Of course we’re going to Times Square.”

“Orion can give us some pointers for the rest of the city.”

“I’m excited to meet him.”

“You’ll love him. He’s the best.” I hold Orion close. I’ve known that I will be able to help him live after I’m gone, but now that I know he’s not as safe as we previously thought, I’m determined to protect him. That starts with getting him off these streets, where I’m not prepared to save him in the event he has a heart attack. “Scar, I’m going to head back to our apartment. I’ll call you from there.”

Scarlett’s voice cracks. “Pl-please call me as soon as you’re home.”

“I will. I love you.”

“I love you same.”

I hang up and pocket the phone.

“She’s not coming, is she?” Orion asks.

“No.” It’s painful to admit it out loud. “It really felt like we were kings of the world, didn’t it?”

He nods. It’s as if he’s so speechless he won’t even swear about how unfair this is.

“I think we should get out of here. Want to go back to my place?” I know we’ll be safe in my tiny studio.

“Don’t hate me, but can we go to mine? It’s just . . . if something is going to go down, I want to know I got to say goodbye to Dalma and the fam. . . . If you don’t want to go, I get it, but I’d love it if you came, though. We don’t have to stay that long either, we—”

I give Orion a quick kiss so he can stop and breathe. “It would be really nice to be around some family right now. Especially since I can’t be with Scarlett.”

“You sure? I don’t want to rub salt in the wound and all that.”

“Take me home, Orion.”

Gloria Dario

2:54 p.m.

Gloria is at Althea Park with her family.

No, she’s at Althea Park with her son and her best friend.

This is an important distinction.

No matter how much Rolando loves Pazito, he is not his father.