Page 148 of Fallen Rook

“Thank you.”

“How come you didn’t tell me you were gay?!” Lila sat next to me, pushing at my shoulder with a furious frown.

“I didn’t tell anyone. Tierney figured it out because a friend of hers found me on a queer dating site.”

“I’m not our brothers.” Lila shook her head, her eyes welling with emotions.

“You’re right. But up until a year and a half ago, I still thought of you as my innocent little sis.” I felt my face crinkling in affection. “Not anyone I’d discuss my sexuality with. I don’t see you that way anymore,” I lamented. “You blew every expectation I had for you out of the water.”

“It hurt me to think you went through this all on your own,” she said verbally, and I knew it was because she realized I needed to hear these soothing words.

“He wasn’t on his own; he had Tom Rothwell to keep him company.” Tierney swaggered back with a silver tray laden with coffee and snacks. “You know I tried to fuck him for, like, years before I got back with Achilles.” She took the recliner in front of me.

Despite myself, a whisper of heat licked at my chest, of jealousy and possessiveness I no longer had the right to feel.

“That so?” I tried to sound amused.

She nodded. “He’s seriously hot. And so remote. Exactly my type. Needless to say, he didn’t spare me a second glance.”

“He’s bi,” I said.

“Yes, but I have a feeling he’s not the type to fuck people of interest. You must be something special.” Tierney clasped my chin, smiling.

“How long were you two together for?” Lila asked.

“Two, maybe three months.”

Lila’s face crumpled in sympathy. “Did you develop feelings for him?”

Did I ever. How could I tell her that he’d changed the makeup of who I was in a way so fundamental, I’d never be the same again? That despite his betraying me in the most tragic of fashions, I still craved him more than my next breath? That I was always, always, just a breath away from crying because he wasn’t mine anymore? Words seemed inadequate.

I’d never thought two people could fit together so seamlessly.

“I did,” I choked out, looking away from them. “But, as I said, he only got close to me to uncover Camorra secrets. It’s done now, and I’m focused on trying to save our business.”

“I’m sorry about the way Achilles and Luca reacted.” Tierney reached out to rub my arm. “It was extremely messed up.”

“It was everything I anticipated.” I forced a smile. “And, in a way, I do understand them. I don’t think they’re homophobes. It’s going to be hard to get past the stigma with our soldiers. Besides, it’s not just about my sexuality. It’s also about the wedding, the Bratva, and the FBI.”

“They’ll calm down,” Lila said with certainty.

“What makes you so confident?” I eyed her.

“They love you.” Her steady gaze held my own. “They’re in panic mode now, but once things settle down, they will realize that they love you, that your sexuality is none of anyone’s business, and move on.”

Lila still used sign language when she had a lot to say. It was easier for her, but I’d learned to master it.“You seem way too confident.” I eyed her skeptically.

“You’re the backbone of the family, Enzo. The one who always steps up. If you think this can all be wiped out, you’re wrong. Give yourself some credit. Give them credit, too.”

Damn. When did my baby sis get so smart and perceptive?

“Also, can we just put a pause on the dumpster fire that is my life for one second?” I turned to Tierney. “How come I have to hear on the streets that you and my brother are adopting?”

By the instant grin on Lila’s face, she was already in the know about it.

Tierney smiled coyly. “I didn’t want to make a big announcement until it’s a done deal.”

“And?” I lifted an eyebrow.