LOGINDate = 15 AugustA little later in the day.Place = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - EnriqueI touch my crotch with a groan.Abstinence from Aria is a crime against nature. Against art. Against manhood.She said we should not have sex before the wedding. She said it was symbolic. Romantic. Something ab
Alejandro shakes his head. “No.”“They’re probably squeezing in a quickie,” Jackson mutters, leaning back like this is all mildly entertaining.I shoot him a look sharp enough to draw blood. And it reminds me that I am absolutely having a conversation with him later.Alejandro lets out a strained la
“You still thinking about her?” I ask quietly.He doesn’t turn. “I don’t know what you mean,” he says.I let that sit between us. Brothers don’t need lies polished.“You went there to forget,” I say.He finishes, hands steady, movements practiced, and absentminded. He exhales slowly, tucking himself
“And look where that got us.” She points to her tummy, and he gets this stupid, proud smile on his stupid face.“Face it, angel, your man is a stud.”“As if it’s so difficult to make a bloody baby,” I grunt, trying to get past my slight nausea.“So you’re saying it’s as easy as riding a bike …” Dami
Date = 15 AugustPlace = San Francisco (Inferno)POV - EnriqueJust then, Mel wobbles up the last step, winded with a red face, with Damion holding her arm.“Sorry, we’re late,” Damion charms, “Your sister takes a while to walk up the stairs.”“She takes a while to walk, period,” Luke sneers. It ear
“You’re right,” River agrees, “but you don’t need to get married to do it. Damion and Mel are not married.”“The baby was an accident.” Luke walks forward with his usual smug, condescending smirk on his face.River rolls her eyes with theatrical flair, nudging at nothing with the toe of her pink boo
“So,” Jesse says finally, breaking the silence with way too much cheer, “maybe it’s not the mafia.”“Maybe it’s your big mouth,” Lee snaps.“Maybe it’s the Illuminati,” I mutter.“Maybe it’s your birthday,” Ilkay offers from the corner — classic brooding-genius mode activated. “If they haven’t shot
Date = 1 April Jackson turns 24. So do I.Place = San Francisco (back of a van) Not exactly the place we were supposed to celebratePOV - EnriqueThe stench of rotten eggs, mixed with something drastically nastier — like a sewer that caught fire — claws at my nostrils and forces tears into my eyes
Date = 30 AprilPlace = San Francisco (SFPD Bayview Station)POV - EnriqueTime to change the focus.“That’s not why I’m here, is it?” I get to the point.For the first time, his mask slips. Just a fraction. The corner of his mouth twitches upward, the barest hint of a smile.“Can you talk?” he asks
“Hey, Sportie,” he laughs, using Aria’s nickname like it’s a secret code he knows the meaning of. Which he doesn’t. “Nah, that bastard’s dodging me … ha. You know how it is.” He chuckles, clearly enjoying the memory.He goes on about the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin and some girl who gave







