“He’s beneath you. He’s not good enough for you and never will be,” Alfie says. “You could do way better.”
“I’m sorry. The Pope wasn’t available.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. The church is always taking nuns. Want me to sign you up?”
“Bit late for that.” I smirk.
“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Alfie groans. “If Dad doesn’t get to him first.”
“You can’t tell Dad.” I reach out and grab hold of my brother’s hand.
“You can’t keep this from him.”
“I know, but I just want time. Please, Alfie, I love him,” I beg. “I’ve tried to ignore it. For years, I’ve tried to ignore it. But I don’t want to ignore it anymore, Alfie. He’s good for me. He’s always been there for me, and he’s waited for me. Please trust that I know who is worthy of me.”
“I hate it when you use that tone,” my brother grunts, while he wraps his arm around my shoulder and tugs me towards him. “I will never think he’s good enough for you.”
“I know.”
“You need to tell Dad,” Alfie says.
“I will, soon. I just need a little time.”
“You know he’s going to lose his shit if he finds out through someone else.”
“Just… don’t kill my boyfriend, please.”
“I’m not stupid enough to kill him, Frankie. I don’t need the fucking cartel starting a war in this city,” Alfie grunts. “But if he hurts you, I will.”
“Emilio would never hurt me.” I smile, knowing that my words are true. Emilio has only ever looked out for me, even when I didn’t want him to. “Remember that Christmas Eve Dad picked me up from the police station because Emilio was arrested?”
“Yeah? Oh, for fuck’s sake, Frankie, don’t tell me you guys have been running around in secret since then.”
“No. But I did meet another boy that night. I was stupid and went into an alley with him. He got a little too handsy and I couldn’t get him to stop.” I pause at the look of murder on my brother’s face. “Emilio turned up. He stabbed him. He was going to kill him right there in that alley. Anyway, I made him stop and then he followed me to make sure I was going home. He’s always been annoying like that. But I was arguing with him, and the police turned up and arrested him. The point is, he has been looking out for me forever. He’s always had my interests at heart. Like some shining knight.”
“He’s a cartel prince. Don’t be fooled into thinking he’s a good guy,” Alfie says.
“He is a good guy. To me. And that’s what matters.”
“Who was the kid?” Alfie asks.
“Who?”
“The kid who got handsy, who was he?”
“He’s dead. Emilio went to the hospital that night and killed him.”
“And then came to our house for dinner and acted like nothing had happened? That’s cold, Frankie. Are you sure that’s the kind of man you want to be sleeping next to?”
“You mean like you? Like dad?” I raise a brow.
Alfie shakes his head. “I’ll give you a few weeks, but you need to tell Dad,” my brother says when the elevator opens and he steps out.
I follow him to the front of the building. “I will. Thanks, Alfie. Love you.” I hug him. “Also, ice your face. Emilio got you good.” I smirk.
“Don’t make me go back up there,” Alfie grunts and walks away.
“So, tell me everything? What happened with Mr. Hunky in Mexico?” Kevin sits down next to me in the lecture hall.