Page 128 of Guarded

We’re not even trusted to see the outside of the house. Leading us through the house, I smell something similar to Jasmine. A smell I often associate with my father.

When the hoods are pulled off, Silas and I are presented with Savino himself sitting at the end of a long table in plaid pajama bottoms and a bathrobe, smoking a cigar.

“You made it.Benvenuto.Take a seat,” he says with a thick Italian accent.

Silas and I look at each other before we take our seats at the other end of the table.

Savino is leaner than both Silas and me. His salt-and-pepper hair is combed over, and his beard is neatly trimmed. In front of him sits an empty plate, a cup of coffee, and a gun.

“Let’s get to business. I have a busy day, and I’m sure you do as well, Mr. Macias.” He says calmly.

“We understand there may have been some bad blood between your family and Cassiel Ontiveros, the former president of Los Peregrinos Motorcycle Club.” Silas begins.

“The club’s made some changes to our leadership. Our newest leader is here to make peace between the mafia and Los Peregrinos.”

Savino’s eyes move to mine as he looks me over. His elbows are propped on the table, hands clasped together in front of him.Something is off about the way he’s looking at me, like he’s seen me before.

Maybe he remembers me from the hotel. I look up at the wall behind him and recognize a large wooden spoon and fork hanging above the kitchen entryway. It was similar to a set my father brought back from the Philippines for Evangeline.

“What’s your name?” Savino asks, and the answer doesn’t fall from my lips.

“Nero. Don’t move.” A feminine voice sounds behind me.

A gun clicks at the back of my head, and I take a deep breath before I turn to meet the threat. Her features are cold. Her eyes a distant memory. I’m speechless. Blinking as I make sense of the figure in front of me.

“Tala! Amore! What are you doing?” Savino cautions, standing and staring at her.

“I’m so sorry. My wife can be a bit protective at times. Tala, please drop the gun, Vita Mia.” he says in a soothing tone.

Tala stands staring at me, a ghost from her past. The gun doesn’t leave her hand. She doesn’t even look the slightest bit shocked to see me. Savino Biondini moves to her side and kisses her on the cheek.

“Is he here to hurt you?” she cries, dropping the gun and moving into him.

I look to Silas, who is watching the scene before him with furrowed brows.

Tala has aged, but many of her features are still the same. Her almond round eyes and black wavy hair. The scar above her left brow where she had fallen from the clubhouse. I had been searching my whole life for her, and here she was.

Attempting to kill me.

“What are you doing here, Nero?” she asks coldly.

“What are you doing here, Tala?”

“This is my home. This is my husband.” She says, looking up at Savino. He looks down on her with furrowed brows before looking back at me.

“This is your brother Nero?” he says enthusiastically, but Tala doesn’t look the least bit enthusiastic.

“So, no, hi, I missed you. How are you doing?” I say, staring into her cold black eyes.

“I knew where you were.” She confesses.

My chest tightens, and it feels like betrayal all over again. I’m eight years old and waiting for her to come back.

“I think we should give them some privacy,” Savino says to Silas, nodding to the entryway.

“It was nice to meet you, Nero.” He says to me before his eyes move to Tala’s.

“Amore, these are not our enemies.” As soon as they leave the room, I stand to pace the small space between Tala and me.

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