Page 38 of The Killer Who Kept Me

Saros

The house was bustlingwith people. These dinners were important for a couple of reasons. I liked to see who avoided them—that usually put up a red flag that someone needed to be checked up on. It was good for my family and people to relax, and I found this was a great way to infuse a sort of camaraderie. A lot of these people would die for me, and many were paid to do just that. A weekly dinner was my way of bringing them into my home and showing I appreciated them.

That didn’t mean that if one of them crossed a line, I wouldn’t snuff them out faster than my niece could crumble into a temper tantrum.Speaking of…

“Any eyes on Brandi?” I asked Riley. I didn’t get to see him often since he and Gino were stationed with Dafni and the kids.

“No, last I heard she hadn’t arrived. I’ll go check.” He walked off and I saw Gina, Marco’s widow, talking to Lisa, Gino’s wife. I walked over to say hello.

“Hey, Saros, how you doin’?” Lisa was a boisterous, bubbly lady. The opposite of Gino.

“I’m fine, Lisa. How are the kids?”

“Good, good. Deena is a senior this year, lookin’ at going to college across the country, God help us all. Richie is going through some emo phase, but we’re embracing it.”

“Kids, I guess. How are you, Gina?”

While I could see the sadness in her eyes, she was a strong woman and was grieving in her own way. Dafni and Penelope made sure to see or talk to her often.

“I’m hanging in there.”

“Boss.” I turned and saw Riley.

“Excuse me, ladies.” I moved away to the corner to talk to him. “What’s up?”

“Anthony informed me that Brandi showed up about ten minutes ago. He didn’t see her so I went to his station, and we walked through the rear, and one of the staff said they saw her coming in through that entrance.”

I turned and met Cosmo’s eyes; he was with Dafni. I surveyed the area, Benny was with Paulo, Penelope with Andrew and one of my guys.

“Where’s Em?”

“Sir?”

“That’s why she sneaked in. She came for him. Find her, now!”

“Yes, Boss.” Riley rushed out. Cosmo and Benny noticed and followed along.

“What’s wrong?” Dafni asked.

“We need to find Em.”

“He went to the sitting room about ten minutes ago.”

I didn’t hesitate. I quickly made my way through people, who rushed out of my way. In the sitting room, in the corner was Em. His leg was up but he wasn’t relaxed. Brandi was leaning over him, saying something.

Mike, Cosmo, and Gino entered behind me. “Empty this room out, quietly.”

The three of them went to each person. No one even questioned it, and once everyone was gone, Gino shut the double doors. Brandi was oblivious, and Em looked as if he were drowning.

I cleared my throat loudly. Em flinched, and Brandi’s back stiffened, but she didn’t turn around.

“Brandi, I’ve been wondering where you’ve been.”

She didn’t say anything. Em’s eyes were on me now, and I wanted to pull him away from her and shield him.

“Do me a favor would you, and move the fuck away from Em. Now.”

She took a few steps and finally faced me. There was no hiding her fear, but hidden beneath that was a flicker of defiance.

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