Page 68 of Escape You

Mia

“This is easily the worst idea ever.” I rolled down the window and peeked at the looming skyscraper.

“It isn’t really,” Vic said, deadpan, with his gaze darting back and forth.

Even in a swanky part of New York City, we weren’t safe. We would never be safe until Rossi got what he deserved.

“He hates me.”

“We already went through this. Tell him the truth.” He reached over to the passenger seat, picked up a red folder, and handed it to me. He had proof that Leo, one of my crew, had snitched to the FBI about our dealings. Not happy with whatever they promised him, he went on and got into bed with Rossi too.

I got that he had a sick child. More now than I did before. But this wasn’t the time to turn on your own family. That never ended well. He should have trusted that I would make good on my promise to provide for the crew. When the time came, I’d have to make an example out of him. I couldn’t risk anyone else turning on me.

All Leo wanted was money to pay his hospital bills. Too bad. Now he stood to lose his job, home, and the crew.

“How did he figure out who Tyler was?”

“He must’ve seen him when he went in to talk to the FBI. He should’ve known better than to make deals with a suit.” Vic was pissed. More than the betrayal, he hated that Leo had gone to a government official instead of me. As if all the time he spent with Uncle Mickey and Vic hadn’t meant anything, as if he hadn’t learned a goddamn thing.

“Aren’t we doing the same thing?” I sat back and leaned heavy on the backrest. It’d started last night, but all of a sudden I felt pregnant. Maybe the hormones were kicking in. That had to be it because in the past week I had not been able to get Tyler out of my mind. I missed him.

“It sort of is. But we’re here for the greater good. Rossi has to go. And if the FBI won’t do its job, then it’s up to us.”

“You know I agree with you on that.” I let out a breath. “Jesus, if it were up to me, I’d put a bullet in that guy’s gut and be done with it. But then every one of his people, maybe even the Big 5, would come after me and my crew.”

“You’re right on that.”

“I just wish we could’ve figured out a way to manage this on our own.” This wasn’t about pride. I was scared for Tyler. When he’d kicked me out of his hospital room last week, even though it cut me, I knew it was for the best if it meant he would go home and be safe away from all of this, away from Rossi.

“You need Tyler alive.” Vic shifted his weight to shoot a glance at me over his shoulder. “I know you think he’s your backup plan to take care of the babe.”

“He’s not my backup plan. He’s my only plan. The baby will be safe with him. I don’t want her growing up in all this.”

“That’s fair.” He nodded in agreement. A part of me wished he had a compelling argument to convince me to not give my baby away to Tyler and his family. “Let’s get this over with. We’re sitting ducks.”

“Right. I’ll just go.” I climbed out of the car and walked inside and straight to the security guy sitting behind a lobby desk. “Hi, I’m here to see Tyler. Um, Tyler Cole.” I’d never said his whole name aloud before. Tyler Cole.

“Of course, who should I announce?” He picked up the phone.

“Mia Torelli.”

He nodded. After a few seconds, he spoke into the speaker. “Ms. Torelli is here to see you, Mr. Cole.” The longer he listened to Tyler speak, the faster my heart raced. I’d been dying to see him since I left him in the hospital bed, red with anger and in pain. “No problem, sir.”

The doorman ushered me to the elevator bay and pressed the floor button for me. “It’s the second door on the right. Have a good day.”

When I reached his condo, Tyler swung the door opened before I knocked. To the delight of my pregnant hormones, he’d just stepped out of the shower. Wet strands brushed his forehead and part of his cheek, as he stood there in jeans, bare feet.

I wasn’t complaining, but he’d obviously come to meet me like this on purpose. I didn’t bother pretending I didn’t notice his muscled chest or the chiseled abs. This might be the last time I got to see him. My gaze fell on his shoulder and the single gauze covering the shot wound.

“Hi. I’m not even going to ask how you got my home address.” He flashed me a smile.

A rush of desire swept through me. Jesus, I had to do better than this. I wasn’t here for a booty call. “Vic updated the intel he had on you when he found out about the baby.”

“I still can’t believe he vetted my brother Derek so he could be friends with Dom?” His laugh made me ache for him.

“He’s good at what he does. Can we talk?”

“Yeah, come in.” He showed me the way in.

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