Page 142 of Romeo

Smart ass.“Did she take all her shit?”

The man shrugged again. “A bunch of guys, all wearing vests with the name of some gang on the back, were going in and out. I did notice they brought a boxed truck and a couple of vans.”

For fuck’s sake.Now the “apartment for rent” sign posted out in front of the building made sense.

“I had no idea she was affiliated with criminals, otherwise I would’ve complained to the landlord. While they were here, I figured it was safer for me to stay inside and keep my door locked.”

Jesus Christ.“Sounds like you stayed inside instead of doin’ the neighborly thing and helpin’ like the pussy you are.”

The man’s gaped mouth snapped shut. “And you’re trespassing since your friend no longer lives here. It’s best you leave before I call the cops.”

“Get out of my fuckin’ face,” Romeo growled. He about had enough of this asshole.

Maddie’s former neighbor snorted out a laugh and eyed Romeo up and down. “Who’s going to make me? You? It looks like someone already kicked your ass. Two times over.”

“Know thosecriminalswho made you piss your pants? I got a vest like that, too. So do more than thirty of my brothers. Now… You were sayin’?”

“I was saying, ‘Hello, 911?’”

“Ain’t illegal to visit a friend, motherfucker. So, go ahead, call the fuckin’ pigs and see where that gets you.” He adjusted the crutch under his arm more securely and hobbled across the narrow hallway. “Just remember, I know where you fuckin’ live.”

The closer he got, the wider the neighbor’s eyes got. “Is that a threat?”

“Damn right it is.” Really, there was no point in him wasting any more time here, so Romeo carefully pivoted on his good leg and hobbled toward the steps.

“I figured you’re all talk,” was heard right before the slam of the apartment door. Along with the turn of a lock.

“Not worth it,” Romeo muttered under his breath and did his best not to break the rest of his bones while heading back down the stairs.

“Where the fuck is she?”

“Who?” filled Romeo’s ear.

“You know who,” he responded impatiently.

“Ain’t learned your lesson yet?” Magnum asked.

Romeo pulled the phone from his ear, frowned at it for a few furious seconds before putting it back to his ear. “Since the Russos are involved, went to check on her and she’s gone.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah?” Romeo echoed.

“That’s what I said.”

“Where’d she go?”

“Brother, you think she shares her goddamn plans with me? Why don’t you fuckin’ call her.”

He had. Numerous times. “She don’t answer her phone.”

“Maybe that should tell you somethin’.”

Romeo dropped his head back and ground his teeth. “She’s just pissed right now. She’ll get over it.”

“You wanna know so fuckin’ bad, call Shade and ask him. ‘Cause you’re callin’ the wrong fuckin’ person. Got no fuckin’clue where she is. My guess? She went as far away from you as she can get.”

This was going nowhere, so he pivoted. “What’s the plan?”

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