Page 16 of Ciao Bella
“And brother,” smirked Gabe.
“And brother,” he nodded at Gabe. “I like that it’s you and me, and I can step in as the favorite uncle.”
“Oh, I’m the favorite,” said Antoine.
“Not in this lifetime,” growled Miller. “I’ve always been the favorite.”
“None of you are the favorite. I am,” said Trak.
“He actually might be right about that,” said Tailor. “I know Eric went to Trak on more than a few occasions for some advice. Luke and Carl, too.”
“Who knew that the big, quiet dude was the one with all the sage advice,” grinned Ian.
“My advice is good because I spend more time observing and listening than speaking,” said Trak. “Our young men and women are fortunate to have so many who care and take the time to give their opinions and advice. Skull is probably at the top of the list recently.”
“Me?” asked Skull, his face showing shock. “I don’t think so.”
“You helped Khloe. You’ve helped many young men and women without even knowing it. To give advice of value, you must remove judgment, and you, my big, scary friend, are the least judgmental man I know.”
Skull was nearly speechless as Avery smiled at him. The others all grinned his way.
“He’s right, brother,” said Ghost. “For some reason, you always believed you were just the big guy with the nasty scar. But you’re so much more, Skull. There is a quiet calm about you, a confidence without arrogance, and this strange ring of peace that surrounds you. It draws people in. In spite of looking scary, they don’t feel scared.”
Skull laughed, shaking his head.
“Is that funny?” asked Antoine.
“It’s funny because your father taught me those skills. After Willa, I was a fucking mess.”
“Rightfully so,” said Avery, hugging him.
“That’s what makes you perfect for me. You saw the good in me, the old me I was trying to become. I was so confused. So fucking angry I could barely see. Then we found that kid in that trailer, and your mama walked him out, handing him to me on a silver platter. I was ready to kill him. Be done with it. But I just couldn’t kill that kid. Willa’s voice was ringing in my head,” he shook his head. “But your mama grabbed me and held me close, whispered in my ear.”
“What did Mama say?” asked Rafe.
“It will get better, baby. Not today. Not tomorrow, but one day, the pain will feel less sharp, and you’ll wake feeling happy. One day. I did. I started to feel somewhat alive again when I met Arielle. Our relationship didn’t go anywhere, but I know why. I was supposed to wait for Avery.”
“I think I was waiting for you, too,” she smiled.
“I’m not sure if I ever thanked all of you properly for standing by me during that time. I didn’t think I would make it. The only thing that kept me alive in all of that was the boys. Then you guys sent me to pick up Leightyn’s friend,” he smirked. “Shit. My heart stopped when that old woman in Oklahoma opened the door.”
“Same,” she whispered.
“There was never a reason to thank us for standing by a brother,” said Ghost. “You damn well know that’s what we do for one another. Just out of curiosity, does anyone know whatever happened to that kid that was driving?”
“I do,” nodded Skull. “I kept up with him. Visited him in prison a few times. He served ten years of a fifteen-year sentence. Earned a college degree in counseling and therapy and now counsels at-risk youth and former inmates.”
“That’s what I call a turnaround,” nodded Nine. Skull nodded at him, then turned to the Robicheaux brothers.
“All because of Mama Irene.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Your parents are pretty special people,” said Cruz. “When Garcia killed himself, leaving us an absolute mess, I wasn’t sure we were going to make it. We all felt guilty over his death, sick to our stomachs. But long before that, your parents knew that I was in love with Camille. I don’t know how, but I know that they saw the love long before I even wanted to admit it.”
“If I recall, you thought we wouldn’t approve of you,” smirked Miller. Cruz grinned at him, nodding.
“Yeah. I figured I was just a Mexican kid from Southern California who happened to be on a good SEAL team. I didn’t think I was good enough for Camille.”