Page 75 of Volatile Vice

Brick is gone, and nothing I say can bring him back. I suppose I should be happy that the police have ceased their investigation of our family. Still, someone killed Brick, and if the police have dropped the case, I’ll never know why.

Vinnie might be able to find out, but he’s out of town for a month and doesn’t want me to contact him.

I sigh. I know it’s for my own safety.

I need to get on with my life. I’m moving back to my home, and I’m going to work doggedly at this foundation project. That and I’m going to concentrate on living my life to the fullest. Of course, living to the fullest would mean living with the man I love, but since that’s not possible, I’m going to smell every flower I come across. Watch every sunset. And work hard at my foundation, so I can help other people like me—people who may not have my financial resources—to combat their illness.

I force myself to walk into my bedroom so I can pack up my things. I try not to look at the bed. The bloody sheets are long gone, stuffed in an evidence bag somewhere, along with the comforter and everything else that was on my bed.

It’s bare now, only the mattress, with the bloodstain that soaked through.

I’m surprised they didn’t take that into evidence, but I suppose they had enough of Brick’s blood.

I avoid looking at the mattress as I get everything packed up into a couple of suitcases.

Jared is waiting in his SUV.

What a horrible job. Sitting around in a car. I should have invited him inside.

But he’s getting paid through the roof for his services, so I suppose I shouldn’t worry too much about him.

I’m ready to go when I hear a buzzing sound from my purse.

I open it up, and then I jerk and gasp.

The buzzing sound isn’t coming from my regular phone, but from the burner phone that the Uber driver gave me. The same one I called Vinnie on…

I take a look at the text message.

Stay away from Gallo.

What?

Vinnie’s out of town for the next month. What do they think I’m going to do? I don’t even know where he jetted off to. Probably for the best. If I knew, I might try to go after him, text or no text. I assume they’re talking about Vinnie. They can’t be talking about Savannah, can they? Or Vinnie’s father?

He’s in prison, for goodness’ sake.

I’m not sure who to ask about this. The person I would normally ask is Vinnie, but he’s out of the country and basically told me not to contact him. I could ask Jared, but he’s my bodyguard, not my private investigator.

I suppose Falcon is the best choice. I dial his number.

“Raven, everything okay?”

“Yeah. But I need to talk to you. Can I come over?”

He pauses a moment. “I’m actually in Austin.”

“In Austin? What for?”

“Savannah’s mother had a heart attack. She’s in surgery right now having a triple bypass.”

I throw my hand over my mouth. “Oh my God. Are you two all right? We’ve got to tell Vinnie. He’s out of town.”

“Actually, Ray, Vinnie’s right here.”

I nearly drop my phone. “So he didn’t get on that plane.”

“I didn’t know he was supposed to be on a plane. But no, he’s here. Ray, you’ve got to?—”

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