Page 156 of Dante
We stare at each other.
Twenty years of history sits between us. Twenty years of blood and loyalty and the kind of bond that doesn't need words.
I sigh.
I extend my hand.
Lorenzo looks at it.
We don't hug.
Not ever.
Not when we bury family. Not when we survive things that should have killed us. Not when the world falls apart and we're the only ones left standing.
That's not who we are.
But Lorenzo is the closest person I have. The closest thing to a brother I've had since Lucio died.
He takes my hand.
His grip is firm.
And then he does something unexpected.
He pulls me forward.
Not a hug.
Not quite.
Something in between. A half-embrace, half-greeting. His free hand claps my shoulder and holds there for a beat longer than necessary.
"You scared the shit out of me," he says quietly.
His voice is rough.
I hear what he's not saying.
I thought you were dead.
I thought I lost you.
Don't do that again.
"Sophia's the only reason I didn't punch you the second you walked through that door," he adds.
He releases me.
Steps back.
The moment passes.
We're back to business.
"What happened?" I ask.
Lorenzo's expression hardens.
