The Slayer (Untamed Hearts #2)(142)

“Okay,” Chuito said dismissively.

“I’ll make up for the fighting,” Nova said with a smile. “Twice as much as the fighting. Three times as much. Have you ever considered letting me manage your portfolio?”

“Please talk to me about money tomorrow.”

Nova gave him a look. “You don’t care about money?”

“Not right now.”

“He likes money,” his mother cut in.

Chuito held up his hand to his mother. “Let her discuss it.”

He left his mother to discuss his finances with Nova. It mattered more to her anyway. He walked outside and sat on the porch steps, finding Tino easily in the crowd of people dancing, because he was the best one on the lawn.

Really, Chuito had to just sit there and appreciate it, because Tino danced like he was made for it. He was in a sea of Latinos, who, if Chuito didn’t say so himself, could dance really well, and Tino made them all look like amateurs.

There was a fire burning in the corner. It was typical for a party, but Chuito knew his mother had burned his clothes. She’d probably burned the Morettis’ clothes too, because Nova had been wearing jeans, and Tino had on a Miami Heat T-shirt Chuito knew belonged to Marcos.

Who knew how many Italians had jacked Marcos and Chuito’s clothes after getting rid of all those bodies.

When the song switched to a salsa, Tino switched with it, dancing with not one, but two beautiful Latinas as if it was second nature.

“Where did an Italian learn to salsa like that?” Marcos asked as he sat next to Chuito, dragging Katie down with him. Both of them were sweaty and breathless from dancing as Marcos said, “I’m pretty sure that goes against nature.”

Chuito considered it as he ate, watching Tino dance like he should make a living at it, and then said in Spanish, “His old chica’s a dancer.” He knew now that was why dancing was Tino’s self-soothing technique. “A Broadway dancer.”

“I guess.” Marcos turned to Chuito. “Tía Sofia said I’m supposed to say congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Chuito took another bite of food. “Too bad she’s missing the party.”

“Is Alaine okay?” Katie asked.

“Yeah, I think she’ll be okay,” Chuito said as he gave Katie a smile, seeing that Miami was agreeing with her. Her long, curly brown hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and she was tanner than she’d been in Garnet, as if she’d spent a lot of time at the beach. “Like you, I guess we underestimated her. She’s tougher than she looks.”

“I’m sorry about today. I don’t know the details, but I know it was difficult,” Katie whispered softly as she reached past Marcos to squeeze his hand. “I’m so sorry.”

Chuito shrugged. “She’s alive. The rest we can figure out later.”

“Tiá Sofia said she needed a little herbal help,” Marcos said in concern. “Did it calm her down?”

Chuito nodded. “Yeah.”

“Chilled you too, I see.” Marcos laughed. “Your eyes are bloodshot, Chu.”

“Shit.” Chuito rubbed a hand over his eyes in response. “Is it really noticeable?”

“Who here gives a shit?” Marcos shrugged. “But what about the fighting?”

“Don’t ask me about the fighting.” Chuito groaned. “Please don’t ask me about it.”

Marcos was quiet for a long time. Chuito’s involvement with the mafia was a particularly sore subject for him, considering Chuito had officially committed himself to Nova to get Marcos out of the gang life.

“You know, that’s Junior’s older sister your amigo’s dancing with,” Marcos finally offered rather than comment on the rest. “He looks pissed off about it too.”

Chuito found Junior in the crowd, sitting in a lawn chair, nursing a beer, and glaring at the dance floor. Chuito just laughed in response. “Good.”

“Chu—”

“Leave me alone,” Chuito snapped at his cousin. “I’m allowed to enjoy his misery.”

“You’re such a vindictive pendejo.” Marcos hit his arm for good measure. “He saved your ass. Can you recognize that now?”

“I’ll say thank you tomorrow,” Chuito said dismissively. “Let me be pissed off until then.”

“Fine,” Marcos said as if he knew it was the best he could get. “Are you okay?”

“I guess.”

“You scared me today.” Marcos’s whisper was barely heard over the music.

“I’m pretty hard to take out,” Chuito assured him. “I’m good.”

Marcos snorted in agreement and then asked, “Am I invited to the wedding?”

“You’re gonna be the best man, so you better f*cking be there.” Chuito glared at his cousin and then leaned past him to look at Katie. “Can you put him in a suit?”

“I think I can manage it,” Katie said with a laugh. “I put him in one for our wedding. He looks good in it too.”

“Of course,” Marcos said vainly as he smoothed a hand down his chest. “But I’d hate to make the groom look bad.”

“Get the f*ck out of here.” Chuito pointed to the lawn. “Go dance with your wife.”