Page 24 of Escape You

Nodding, he took out his notebook. “Do you think you can get to his computer?”

“He has an office. Maybe it’s in there? I can try. What are you thinking? A little spyware?”

“It might get us what we need. No one’s ever been this close to the boss of the New York faction before.” He beamed at me. “You got balls, Mia.”

I shrugged. He would have done the same. “How’s Manny doing? Is his leg all right?”

“Yeah, he’s just pissed because he’ll need bedrest for a while. Possibly a wheelchair.”

“We need him. Him and his brother, they can get us a custom program to sniff around in Rossi’s laptop.”

“I didn’t know that.” He smiled at his book and jotted something.

“One more thing—the wedding is on Saturday.”

He glanced up at me, eyes big. “Then I better go and get started on this.” He patted his notebook, rising to his feet.

“Thanks.”

“I asked Rossi’s guys if you needed clothes. They said you were all set?”

“I am.”

“Be careful, Mia. Looks to me like Rossi’s been planning this hit on Rogue River for a long while.”

“I know.”

He turned off the bugging app, then headed toward the door. I followed him. “I’ll walk you out. Got some recon to do.” I winked at him.

I never knew my mom, but even after Dad was shot, I never truly felt alone. My family, my crew, they were always there for me. For the first time in my life, I felt alone and so out of place. After Vic left the penthouse, I wandered through all the rooms. The modern decor made the place feel cold and uninviting. Where was everyone?

On my second round from the kitchen to the living room, I stopped by the study and knocked lightly on the door. When no answer came, I shot a quick glance over my shoulder, then went in. I scanned the room, looking for anything that would tell me Jac Rossi lived here. Strolling around the room, I peered at the different photos he had on the floor to ceiling bookcases. Frames dotted the shelves, sitting on books about exotic locations and hunting.

The entire display was a love letter to himself. Not even Chase had made the cut. As if I’d summoned him, the second my mind flooded with images of us, Chase barged through the door with two bodyguards behind him.

“Can I help you with something?” The way his gaze darted from my hands to the rest of the room told me he didn’t trust me anymore than I trusted him.

“No, I was just taking a stroll about the palace.” The lines on his forehead got deeper as he surveyed my face and the rest of me. I lifted my arms in mock surrender. “What am I going to do? Steal something, then take it back to my room? Ease up. I’m not that kind of criminal.”

That got a chuckle out of him. “Exactly what kind are you?”

One of his guys walked into the room and placed a laptop bag on the chair. This place didn’t feel like a real home. But it was definitely a place where Rossi spent time. I’d be willing to bet my cut of the ten million dollars from the cartel run that the computer on the desk was his.

When the guy left us alone, Chase’s features relaxed. He took a long, lazy stride to join me by a set of books on the fall of Rome. “I see you found your clothes.”

“Yes, your grandfather is a very thoughtful man.”

“He’s all about the details.” He cleared his throat. “Speaking of details, he’s throwing us an engagement party.”

“Of course, he is.” I rolled my eyes. “How else would the Big 5 families get wind of his brilliant plan to take over Jersey.” The party didn’t surprise me, but it was interesting to see that Chase was nervous about it. Why was he really here? He’d said he couldn’t leave yet. What did he want?

Did he think he’d be able to get out of this ridiculous arrangement before we actually had to say I do? I wished I could trust him. The irony wasn’t lost on me. If I’d gotten to know him before we made a baby, I never would have slept with him. And now that we were here about to have a baby, it’d be so nice if I knew him a little better, if I could trust him a little more.

His gaze darted to the door before he leaned forward. “Mia, the party is tonight. Be careful who you talk to and what you say. You’re not safe here. Tell me you won’t do anything foolish.”

“What have I ever done to make you think I’d do anything foolish in front of Rossi’s bigwig friends?”

He pinched his nose, an amused smile pulling at his lips. “Just about every step I’ve seen you take since I met you has been toward something that was either dangerous, deadly, or both.”

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