“You’re just jealous no one likes you enough to kiss you, Ezekiel, not even your cousins,” Frankie counters.
“Nope, definitely not jealous, Frankie.”
I busy myself reheating the ground beef and then putting together a couple of tacos full of toppings for Frankie, while they continue to banter back and forth.
I put the plate in front of Frankie. “Eat.”
“Again, not a damn dog, Emilio,” Frankie growls at me.
“Again, I know. But you still need to eat.”
“Why is your hair wet?” Ezekiel asks Frankie.
“I had a shower,” she tells him.
“Why? You just got here.”
“I got dirty.” Frankie smiles around a taco as she brings it to her mouth.
“Ugh, gross, I wish I hadn’t asked.” Ezekiel shakes his head.
“Emilio, Papa’s office now.” Elias sticks his head into the kitchen and then disappears after giving the order.
“I think my dad is in there,” Frankie says as a warning.
“So is mine,” I tell her.
“Maybe I should come.” She goes to stand.
“Nope, stay. Keep Ezekiel company. We all know he doesn’t have many friends.” I kiss the top of her head and make my way to my father’s office.
The room falls silent when I walk in. All my uncles are in here, Elias and Esterio, my father and his second, along with Frankie’s brother. I look to my Uncle Louie—yep, he wants to kill me.
“Before you kill me, you should know that I do love her and I’m not giving her up. I know you don’t like me with her, and honestly, I don’t blame you. I know she’s better than I am. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t do everything and anything I can for her,” I tell him.
“You’re right. You’re not good enough for her and I do want to watch the life drain from your face.”
“Louie, be careful how you speak to my son. You’re in my house, and don’t think for a second I won’t hesitate to retaliate. You have two children. I will take out both of them if you touch one of mine.”
“He has three,” Alfie says with a smile, like he takes my father’s threats lightly.
“I wouldn’t harm Frankie. She’s as good as a Lopez now.” My father smirks at my uncle, who growls.
I don’t correct him and tell him Frankie is never going to marry me. She’s said more than once she’s not the marrying type, and I would never force her to do something she doesn’t want to do.
“Okay, now that the threats are dealt out, can we get on with the actual problem here? Like the fact we have a rival out there on the streets plotting against us.”
The door opens and my Aunt Lailani walks in. “Someone forgot to invite me to the meeting.” She glares, first at her husband, and then at my dad.
“Lai, please, help yourself to my office.” Dad shakes his head.
“Did you finally lose my number, E?” she asks.
“What kind of best friend would I be if I lost your number?”
“The kind that I want?” My aunt laughs. “I got something.”
She pulls out a USB drive and walks around my father’s desk, plugging it into his computer.