Page 123 of Bishop

“Our mother has hidden her hatred of me for as long as I can remember. I was Dad’s favorite asset. She’s been jealous of me for years. Catty and malicious behind closed doors. If I didn’t believe she was capable of killing Tilly, I wouldn’t have humored him for as long as I have.” I jut my chin at Bishop, his jaw ticking before I quickly return my attention to my uncle. “I’ve called her non-stop for days. I’ve left a hundred messages. She won’t talk to me. She won’t tell me where my daughter is. Do you have the ability to find her?”

“You know I’ve already got men on it,” Bishop grates. “She’s driving across country. The last traffic surveillance checkpoint she passed was yesterday morning. She’s already halfway through Missouri. And given her timeline from Virginia Beach, I predict she’ll be back here in less than twenty-four hours unless she takes a major detour.”

The timeframe comes as a surprise. But I don’t respond. Don’t quit waiting for an answer from the head of one of the most infamous factions of the Italian mafia who glances back at me with sympathy.

“Abri, alongside Matthew, I trust no man more than Bishop.” Lorenzo speaks with solemn conviction. “If you’d come to me first, I would’ve turned to him to do the digging regardless because he’s the most capable.”

Bishop steps closer, moving to stand a few feet behind my uncle. “All I need is permission to use your contacts and resources to get this moving faster.”

“Is there anyone else who can take over?” I ask.

“I’m handling it,” Bishop growls. “And I suggest you don’t ignore me again, belladonna, otherwise we’re going to have more problems.”

“Or maybe I could handle it myself.” I smile at my uncle. “If I had access to your resources—”

Bishop storms to the table and slams his palm against the wood. “It’s not a good idea to push me, Abri. Especially when I don’t approve of this picture you’ve painted.”

“My artistry isn’t your concern.” I sit taller as he attempts to stare me down.

“What the hell is going on between you two?” Matthew demands.

“Whatever it is, it’s been going on for days.” Salvatore glances between us. “They were already at it the day Rem and I got home.”

“There’s nothing going on.” I shove to my feet. “He’s just bitter that I bested him. More than once.”

I hold my breath, waiting for Bishop to deny it. To tell our audience what really happened. The tears. The weakness. The panic.

All he does is stare, his lips set in a thin line, his chin defiantly high.

I hate that through his anger, he’s keeping his word not to spill my secrets. I hate it because I goddamn appreciate it so much.

“Look, I need space from all this.” I wave a lazy hand to indicate everyone as I stare at Lorenzo. “Can you help me get in contact with my mother or not?”

“Whatever you need I’ll provide it, dolce bambina. Everything I have is at your disposal.”

Good. Now I can do this my way. I just have to figure out what that way is… And if it involves the man who has my insides twisted in knots.

23

BISHOP

I sit in the driver’s seat of Abri’s car, the backrest reclined all the way so I lie staring at the ceiling.

This is the only place I’ve found peace from the house full of assholes who continued to bicker over Abri’s situation for hours while the woman in question hid in her room.

Salvatore decided to go on a power trip, making demands and raising his voice.

Lorenzo has been on the phone, barking orders to soldiers.

Remy kept arguing with himself over how Abri could’ve wound up in her current situation without him knowing.

Layla periodically begged everyone to stop thinking about their feelings and consider what Abri is going through.

And Langston remained quiet, retreating inside himself like he usually does when he wants to start a war.

The squeak of the front screen door has me poking my head up to see Lorenzo hobble onto the porch, his gaze searching the yard.

I don’t move. Don’t budge. But he finds me, his wrinkled face softening when our eyes meet.

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