Page 35 of Tammaro DeLuca

“Is there something that I can do?” She asked.

“Yes. Always make your partner wear protection.” I said to her, “I’m not referring to your father. I mean, with any man. If I would have done that when I was younger, I wouldn’t be in this boat.”

She nodded. I knew she already knew about sex because I made sure that she did. I couldn’t have her learning about it in some other fashion. She needed to make informed decisions. Who better to tell her than me? I didn’t sugarcoat it or make it weird. She actually asked questions and was comfortable enough to be in the moment. It was how I confirmed that we’d indeed created a solid relationship.

“Yes, ma’am.” She stood there hugging me until Ro walked into the room.

“Aren’t the two of you cute?” He asked before going to the refrigerator. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“It’s okay.” I reassured him.

“Did you like it?” He asked.

“I did. Imagine me not knowing that there was a second movie until you played it.”

He chuckled and finished putting the dishes in the dishwasher that I hadn’t gotten to.

“Why don’t the two of you go out tomorrow and have a girl’s day?” He asked us.

“I have school tomorrow.” Asmaria said.

He shrugged. “It’s up to your mom. I don’t think one day will kill you. Your grades are good, and you never miss school. Again, if Yolanda says no, it’s no. If she says yes, I’ll drop the two of you off. No giving her shit if she says no, either.” He said to Asmaria.

“Mommy?” she asked me.

I nodded. “We can. You’ll have to make it up and this can’t be a habit.”

“I understand. Can we get lunch, too?” She looked at Ro.

“Sure.”

Asmaria ran over and hugged him tightly. “Thanks Daddy.”

He hugged her back, and I saw something on his face that I’d never seen. Peace. She provided that for him. Happy that they were in this place, I let them have their moment while I tried to retrace my steps to find the same. I knew it wouldn’t be so quick, but watching them restored my hope. If they could, why shouldn’t I be able to find mine as well?

TAMMARO

Iwaited until my unknowing victim got into his car before I got in on the passenger side. He’d gotten ballsy yesterday and went to Asmaria’s school, pulled her from class, and asked her about her home life. It was my turn to ask this motherfucker some questions. He’d tested my willpower and now all bets were off. No kid gloves.

“Detective Walter Shields.” I said when I climbed into his front seat.

“Tammaro DeLuca.” He said knowingly. “How can I help you?”

“By telling me exactly what you want with me. You’ve crossed the line and now we’re going to cut the bullshit. How do I make you disappear from my life forever?” I asked him.

“Confess to the long list of crimes that I’m holding against you, and it’ll make everything go away.”

“I’ve committed no crimes.”

“Sure, you haven’t. Where does a man like you get money to purchase million dollar properties? Tell me it didn’t come from your brothers. Your father. If they’re funding your operation, you’re just as guilty as they are.”

“See, if I knew what you were talking about, I’d help you. See, I like the police. You would too if you knew how many of them were watching your every move. In a blink of an eye, your entire investigation could just go…” I mimicked a bomb exploding with my hands and then turned to him.

“Are you saying that the police are involved?” He squinted.

“No, what I’m saying is that they know you’re making things up. That’s why I’ve officially filed a complaint that you’re stalking me and my daughter. You’ve done things like this before and, well, I guess your boss isn’t impressed with your subpar skills at solving cases. Remember that the next time that you’re accusing people of things that you have no proof of.”

Done, I got out of the car and slammed the door behind me. I took off the gloves that I was wearing and put them in my pocket. I watched from a nearby shop as he tried to drive off. All four of his tires had been flattened while I’d been inside. He’d been so busy paying attention to me he hadn’t noticed the bricks or the air coming out. He wasn’t going anywhere fast.

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