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?”
“The last six months, you’ve proven yourself over and over again. I have no problem with you getting promoted. Just keep up the good work like you have been.”
He clenched his jaw and turned his gaze forward, hiding his emotions. We were both quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “You think my sister would like it if I built a house beside hers?” he asked out of the blue. “We could put a small guesthouse between the two of them for our parents.”
I relaxed into my chair. “I think she would like that a lot, actually.”
His lips twitched. “Maybe if Lis is busy decorating a house, she won’t have time to work at that fucking club.”
“I haven’t met her yet, but from what little you’ve told me about her, I can already tell she’s too independent.” I considered it a moment then sighed. “Maybe we could find her a different job. Perhaps at the office. But you can’t offer it to her. She will most likely turn it down flat. I will speak to Nova about it and get her to bring up the subject after their first meeting.”
Garret held out his hand to me. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Your Lis might be too stubborn for even your sister’s gentle persuasion.”
He barked out a laugh. “That’s one of the things I love about my girl. Her stubbornness is sexy as fuck.”
I had to admit that Nova’s stubbornness could be a turn-on, but nothing got me harder than when she submitted to me. Needing to see her, I picked up my phone again and looked through each CCTV feed. When each camera came up empty once again, I muttered a curse and pinched the bridge of my nose.
Just a few more hours, I tried to remind myself. A few more hours, and then she was all mine forever.
32
Nova
Ciana: He’s about to jump out of this plane if it means getting to you faster.
Samara: We just landed, and I think he’s going to steal a car if we don’t hurry up and get to your house. It’s kind of funny, but kind of scary. Geesh.
Garret: I seriously hope you are home and waiting for Ryan. Everyone but Anya is ready to get away from him right now. He’s grumpy AF. Where have you been? He couldn’t see you on any of the camera feeds. Did graduation practice really take that long?
I was grinning at the many texts from my family members about Ryan’s behavior, but the grin died a quick death when I read the last two sentences from my brother’s latest text.
Camera feed?
What camera feed?
Was there a camera in my house somewhere?