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He runs his fingers through his hair. “You’re right. But Lazaro’s lifestyle?—”
“Cops aren’t saints either, Henry. And they’re in a better position to get away with murder.”
“I will look at all options, including cop retaliation.”
I laugh derisively. “Right. That will make you popular among your policebrotherhood.”
Henry leans back, crossing his arms. "I can only follow the evidence. And from where I'm sitting, the evidence says your brother met with foul play because of your family’s activities. Are there dirty cops? Sure. But everyone in organized crime is—” He stops short.
I narrow my eyes at him. “Is what, Henry? Say it.”
“My point is, people who are involved in nefarious behavior are at more risk of being the victim of nefarious behavior.”
"You act like you're so righteous, but you're just as biased as anyone else. You see what you want to see."
"And you don't?" His eyes lock on mine, challenging me.
For a moment, we’re in a glaring standoff. But then I’m just exhausted by it all. This is all my fault for letting my attraction to Henry take me down this path.
I shake my head. “No, I don’t see what I want to see. Not anymore.” I down the rest of my wine, preparing to leave.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I wanted to see you one way, but the evidence has shown me that you’re not who I hoped you were.”
"I’m not saying you don’t deserve justice or that Lazaro deserved what happened to him. But you have to admit, growing up in your world, it's bound to affect how you see things."
"And your world doesn't affect how you see things?" I counter, but my tone lacks its usual bite.
Henry shrugs. "Of course it does. That’s why we need different perspectives. To see the whole picture."
"And what picture are you trying to see?"
Our server arrives, and I’m grateful for a moment to catch my breath as we order our meal. When he leaves, the tension in the air has dropped. It’s not gone, but neither do I feel like my emotions are sitting on a powder keg.
“I don’t deny bias exists. It’s part of human nature. You see cops one way. We see criminals one way.” He sighs. “And yet, you just said that you wanted to see me differently.” He almost looks happy about that. I look away, hating how vulnerable that makes me feel.
His hand covers mine, bringing my attention back to him. “I’m seeing you differently too, Lana. Not just you, but your family.”
My eyes narrow, worried this is a trick. He’s going from bad cop to good cop or something.
“Elio’s actions to protect his wife and daughter?—”
“The police killed her bastard of a husband.”
“I know. The point I want to make is that Elio is a loving husband and father who’d do anything for his family. Had the cops not arrived, he’d have killed Gabriel Collins?—”
“As anyone else would do when a knife is held to a child’s throat.”
“Yes. That’s my point. Your dedication to Lazaro also shows the love and devotion of your family.”
“You think we’re monsters?”
He laughs and throws his hands up. “I can’t win with you. I’m saying that I’m seeing you in a new light, yes. Just like it seems you’ve seen me in a new light. Or at least wanted to.”
I don’t want to come off like a nut case, so I take a breath. Then a thought comes to me. “Do you think all those calls on us have to do with Collins?”
His brow furrows. “I don’t have any evidence of that. Why?”
