“Emilio, I really don’t have time for this,” Frankie says.
“And I’m not letting you go while you’re shitty at me, Frankie. I just need a minute,” I tell her. I’ve parted ways with her like this too many times to count. It always fucks up my day, because I feel like shit and can’t get my mind off her.
“I’m not shitty at you. I’m shitty at the situation,” she says. “I knew this was going to happen. I knew it would blow up in our faces. I just thought I’d have longer before it happened.”
“I’m sorry your brother’s an asshole.” I pull her against me, wrap my arms around her, and hold her tight.
Frankie chuckles. “You didn’t have to hit so hard.”
“He pointed a gun at me,” I remind her.
“He was bluffing. He wouldn’t have shot you.”
“I’ve seen your brother kill people for a lot less than dating his precious little sister,” I grind out.
“You think I’m precious?” Frankie looks up at me with a huge smile.
“You know you are.” I lean down and press my lips to hers. When I pull back, she’s still smiling. “That’s better,” I tell her.
“What is?”
“You, smiling. That’s how I want you to leave, while you’re happy. I don’t like it when you storm off like that.”
“You have a way of bringing that out of me.” Frankie raises a brow as if to dare me to challenge her.
“I will fix it,” I assure her.
“Fix what?”
“Things with your brother. I’ll talk to him.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t. Let me talk to him first. I know him better.”
“His problem is with me, not you.”
“His problem is with us dating, not you personally. Think of it from his perspective. How would you feel if one of the cousins started dating Eliana?”
At that idea, I laugh. “They wouldn’t be able to. I’d kill them,” I tell her honestly.
“Exactly.” She points at me. “Don’t go poking the bear. I would like to get more use out of this body of yours before my brother kills you.”
“Okay, I won’t do anything,” I agree.
“Thank you. I really do need to go, but I’ll see you later?”
“Call me. I’ll be around.”
With one last kiss, Frankie walks out of my door.
Chapter Eighteen
Ilean back against the wall of the elevator, only to straighten when the doors are held open. My brother steps in and stabs at the button.
“Not now,” I groan. My morning started off so good and then went to hell in a handbasket.
“Oh, it’s now, Frankie. What the hell are you thinking? Him? Really?”
“Yes him. What’s wrong with Emilio?” I ask.