SIXTY FIVE

The level of awkwardness during lunch with Uncle Carson was unbearable. He had a terrific sense of humour, and whenever we met, we would crack jokes about anything, but suddenly there were walls between us that neither of us could get over.

At least not yet.

After getting Sin’s approval for us to meet, I called him that morning, and we agreed to meet the next day at a restaurant for lunch. And like I promised Sin, I was sure to go with Mateo and two other men.

The silence pulsed between us. As the waitress noted down our order and left, I reached for the glass of water and took a sip. The clinking sound of the knives and forks did its business in the background.

Uncle Carson was the first to break the ice. "How have you been?"

"I’ve been good." I quipped, giving him a smile. His eyes searched my face for any hint of a lie, and he gave a small nod when he saw none.

"That’s good to know." He smiled, still studying my face.

"Wha...what about you? How have you been?" I stutter nervously,