Page 68 of A Sinner's Virtue
“That’s exactly what my job is, Marcello. You’re not moving out,” he repeats like his word is final. In a lot of situations, it is. Except right now. I’ve already decided on this. I’ll have Eloise find me a house nearby, but I am moving out.
When we arrive at the jail, we go through the process of getting through to the visitation room. This is the part that always hits me hard. Seeing my brother cuffed while he’s forced to parade around in a fucking dark-green tracksuit.
“Hey.” Gabe nods at us. His face is healing from a beatdown he took when he first got here.
“How you holding up?”
“How’s Daisy?” It’s always the first question he asks us.
“You’d know for yourself if you let her come and see you,” I remind him.
Gabe glares at me. “Don’t fuck with me, Marcello. How is she?”
“She’s okay. Still holding out hope you’re getting out,” I tell him.
Gabe shakes his head. “It’s going to hit her hard when that doesn’t happen.”
“Then put her name back on your visitation list,” I groan.
“I don’t want her here. This isn’t the place for her. Would you let your woman come here?” he counters.
I picture Zoe. And truth is… there’s no fucking way I’d want her near a prison. I get his point. It doesn’t mean it’s right though.
“Should we talk business? Or call doctor Phil for a family counselling session?” Xavier asks.
An hour later, our time is up and I have to walk away. Leaving my brother behind in this fucking hellhole. “I fucking hate this,” I tell Gio.
“Yeah,” he says while nodding his head in agreement.
Chapter Thirty
It’s strange having so many people around me. I’m used to working alone. Or at least having Mikhail’s guys stay outside. Now, not only do I have Ivan inside my office, I also have Santo.
I could literally cut the tension in here with a knife. The two don’t seem to like each other. And honestly, if I had to put money on it, I think Santo would come out the victor if they went at it. I don’t know what it is, but he just seems the most unhinged.
“I’m getting coffee. You want something, Zoe?” Ivan asks, pushing up from the small office chair he’s been occupying for the last two hours.
“No, I’m good. Thank you.” I smile at him.
I’m really not good. I’ve been trying to pretend they’re not here. I’ve been acting like I’m going through the motions of working, but it’s really damn hard to concentrate with an audience. Like I said, I’m used to working alone. I like being alone.
When the door closes behind him, Santo clears his throat, causing me to look up at him.
“What?” I ask him.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“You want the full list? I don’t think there’s enough time in the day for that.”
“Why are you making us sit here while you pretend you’re working when you’re not actually doing anything?”
“I’m trying to work. It’s hard with you both in here.” I sigh.
“Why?”
“Because it’s weird.”
“Just pretend we’re not here.” He shrugs.
