Page 133 of The Spare

"Richard!" Madre gasps, her face contorting with pain."No."

The blow of Father's words reverberates through my being, and the crack that's always been there effectively shatters the rest of the way, leaving me in a thousand pieces so sharp and jagged I know I won't ever be put back together the same way again.

I say nothing.

Remaining silent as the part of my heart I'd been carefully nurturing my entire life to maintain hope that we could have a relationship finally dies. All because of whatever this thing is that happened before I was even born. It cost me.

And it's deposit slices deeper than you'd think.

"Get out!"Father shouts, casting everyone a furious look before turning his back on all of us. "All of you!Get the hell out of my goddamn house!"He turns, snatching away from Madre who's openly crying, sobbing into her hands as he retreats through a hidden side door in the wall.

Father has never left Madre in tears like this.

I pull away from Melody, eyeing Hendrix who's expression looks torn between thunderous rage and concern and walk over to her, wrapping my arms around her slight frame. Pressing my lips to her temple in what I pray isn't a final kiss.

"Te amo, mamá," I choke out. "No matter what happens just remember that, okay?"

She throws her arms around me, sniffing into my shirt.

I let her go, turning and holding up my hands as Hendrix reaches for me, shaking my head in a warning to not be touched. I only need one person right now, and I hold my hand out to her.

Melody steps forward and takes it, trembling fingers and all. We lace our fingers together and walk out without another word to anyone.

Effectively closing the door on this chapter in our lives.

Chapter forty-two

Deadly Sweet

Three Weeks Later. Los Angeles, California

Listening to the sound of our feet crunching along the pea gravel, I also listen patiently as Dad shows me the gardens outside of his property while he talks. I relish the feel of his arm around me as we walk slowly, my brain being even slower about processing everything he's telling me about our family and its connections.

"I'm Lucien's uncle," he says, patiently.

"And I'm Lucien'scousin?

"Yes."

"And Lucien's the Don?"

"Hmhm."

I pause. "One of the five Dons in the country?"

"Yes."

"And he marriedhiscousin to one of the five Dons, Joaquin, who is also Hendrix's best friend."

"Yes. But she'syourcousin, too."

I nibble my lip. "When am I going to meet him?"

He shoots me a look and grins. "I'm not ready to share you just yet."

"Oh, that's sweet." I melt, giggling. "And who areyouin all of this?"

"The underboss."