Romero (The Moreno Brothers 4)

Manny was at his door holding the newspaper in his hand. “You made the front page.”

Romero stared at him but said nothing.

“Pretty bad, too.” Manny shook his head. “Get dressed. We’re going to see Nick. He normally doesn’t see clients on a Sunday but he’s making an exception for us.”

Nick had been their attorney for years. He was actually a long-time customer of his uncles’ bar before becoming their attorney. People always assumed only scum frequented titty bars, but they’d be surprised how many doctors, lawyers and even politicians were regulars there.

Romero went through the motions, numbly, taking a shower and getting ready. The entire time he replayed the events of the night before. His mind jolted when he got to the moment he spotted her with Michael. Michael had been close enough to kiss her and she was smiling about it. The hurt had outweighed his anger by a ton, but it only escalated his emotions to the point of no return. Every punch he landed he wanted it to be harder than the last. Never in his life had he wanted to kill another person and last night he had. He thought of his dad and squeezed his eyes shut, fisting his hands. He was not his father, damn it.

He checked his phone again for any possible missed calls or texts from Isabel—none. Obviously, their relationship had met its fate last night. What hurt most, was that she was already unsure about things between them even before he blew it. He should’ve backed the f**k off when he’d sensed her losing patience.

Although he knew just the thought of his Izzy with anyone else made him insane, he really thought he’d be able to keep that side of himself from her, push come to shove—for the sake of not losing her. Last night was proof there was no way. Even now, he hoped he’d never run into her with someone else because he’d only prove to her without a doubt, once again, how wrong he’d been for her. All the trouble he was in now, all the heartache he’d have to endure because of what he did last night—none of it mattered. He knew he’d do it again in a heartbeat if he ever saw her in someone else’s arms. He was hopeless.

The attorney didn’t tell them anything they didn’t already know. Basically, Romero was screwed any way you looked at it. Since it was still the weekend, formal charges had yet to be filed, but based on the facts there was no doubt the DA wouldn’t file.

He explained to Romero what he might want to consider. If he was charged with felony assault, which was more than likely, they usually offered a deal that would save time and money. Plead no contest to a lesser charge like simple assault. It carried a smaller fine and less jail time. Since Romero had no priors, and he’d cooperated with the police at the time of the arrest, Nick said he’d probably be out in a month, but would be on probation for at least two years. That meant no carrying any weapons during that time.

Romero listened, his mind wandering back and forth, to what Nick said and what Isabel probably thought of him now. As serious as this was, his life—his career—was on the line here, all he could think of was what was he going to do without her?

“Will you pay attention?” Manny nudged him.

Romero snapped out of it, frowning. “I am paying attention.”

“I am paying attention,” Manny mimicked him. “He just asked you a f**king question.”

Romero stared at Nick blankly. “Say again?”

“Is there anyone that could testify on your behalf that this assault was provoked in any way?”

Isabel immediately came to mind. He’d already decided staying away from her would be the only way he’d survive not being able to be with her anymore. He was going to have Alex pick up his things for him as soon as he felt up to talking to anyone about it. “No.”

“Are you sure?” Max asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure. The guy pissed me off so I clocked him. Everybody there saw it. It’s why they arrested me.”

“That’s just it,” Nick said. “Why did he piss you off? If it’s a good enough reason it might be permissible to use as having been provoked. You might get off with just a fine, and paying for damages. And from what the report said this guy insisted when asked several times that he was fine. The judge could dismiss it all together. Stranger things have happened.”

Romero stared at him, the memory of last night coming back to him. He felt the heat rising in him again. “He was being an ass**le.”

“The guy had his hands on Moe’s girl.” Manny glanced back at Romero. “Alex told us.” Manny turned back to Nick. “My boy has anger issues as it is. God forbid you so much as say anything bad about his girl, and the prick last night had his f**king paws on her.” Manny shrugged. “What are you gonna do?”

Nick jotted a few things down. “We might have something. You’ll probably be required to take a few anger management classes. But I may just be able to pull something off here. Not making any promises, but we’ll see.”

Manny and Max both smiled. When they got outside Romero turned to Manny. “Why do you do that, uh? Why do you tell people I have anger issues? You’ve done that my whole life.”

“Because you do. Look at the mess you’re in because of it. And if I hadn’t mentioned it in there it may not have sparked whatever idea he got. I helped you out, you f**king ingrate.” Manny shook his head and tossed Romero the keys to the car. “You drive, and you’re buying breakfast. After the night you put us through, it’s the least you could do.”