Page 34 of Dipped in Red

Leandro pulls out a very old-looking phone from his pocket. “Can I trust you to be silent? If not, back in the car you go.” He tilts his head, and I nod.

“Very good.” He flips the phone open and presses the speaker button. “Hello.”

“Word on the street – Lucrazis are shook from the last donut. No one could find Joey no matter how hard they tried. They think you’re some kind of phantom,” the voice on the other end chuckles.

“If they only knew,” Leandro hoots back. “Did you call just to lift my ego, or what?”

“I wish it were only that.”

“I’m listening, Don.” Leandro starts to pace.

“They can’t have a wildcard like you on the streets anymore, hear? Your last five donuts have all been baked for my enemies. They’re getting wise that you picked a side.”

“So what, want me to bake for one of yours?”

The voice on the other end laughs again. “I see you still have your sense of humor, wherever it is you like to hide out.”

“Uh huh.” Leandro licks his teeth.

“Listen. They’re putting in big resources to take you out of the game. The Barones picked up some top earners since the Scatilli split, and with that came some muscle. Let me send one of my men to protect you. Dicey can keep you alive.”

“I work alone, Donny. You know that better than anyone.”

“Figured you’d say that. Watch your back, Hook. Lay low.”

“Mm.” Leandro hangs up the phone.

He raises his gaze to me, making my heart weak. There’s something new floating around in there. It’s less feral, more calculating.

“That sounded less like a job, and more like a warning,” I say.

“Mm.”

“Not worried?”

“Excited,” he says evenly.

“Oh, let me guess. Marissa sent that phone call to you?” I start to get annoyed again. “Hey, listen.” I grab his coat by the zipper. “I don’t want to die. And those girls stuck in your basement – they’re good people. So—protect us.”

He sets his jaw.

“Show me I was right for not pulling the trigge—ah!”

He grabs my wrist.

His eyes search mine. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. Am I his next meal? Does he loath me? What?

“I’ve thought about you,” he says deeply, and my breath hitches.

“Yeah, well, forget it.” I whip my hand out of his grasp. “I’m not playing hide and seek for you.”

“You’re the first one,” he says. “In a long, long time, Alessia.”

I take a step away, my expression scrunched in confusion. The way he’s looking at me now… A change has come over him, and it’s all focused in those hazel eyes of his, making my thighs tingle. No one’s looked at me like that since I went into hiding. God, he’s gorgeous, I admit.

But he’s fucking mad, Alessia!

“I’m angry at myself for thinking it. You were right though. You’re not the same person. Clearly, I’m not allowed to live again.” He heads back toward the driver’s side.

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