Page 7 of Wild Card

She’s right about that—I’m sure it was one of Freddie’s geeks that figured out how to disable location services. Besides, it’s a fallacy perpetuated by crime shows that cell phones automatically ping off the nearest cell tower. Shit ranging from topography and atmospheric conditions can direct cell signals to any one of the hundreds of regional switching centers in the country. Can they triangulate pings to find a location? Sure, but with the GPS disabled, her phone isn’t going to lead anyone here easily. Did I learn this watching a documentary about crime shows? Yes.

She wets her lips with her pink tongue. My gaze lingers on her mouth and I immediately wonder what it’d be like to kiss her. I shouldn’t be thinking like that, but she’s magnetic.

“Money,” Lorenzo says. “Four million dollars from your father.”

He only needs three, but I suppose the other million is for me. For the bakery. How fucking thoughtful of him.

“He doesn’t have four million dollars. It’s all wrapped up in the casino.” She’s talking to him, but she’s looking at me.

“I’m sure he can manage. I need you to do us a favor. I need you to record a little message for him. Tell him to find the money and text our burner phone when he has it. Then we’ll provide instructions for delivery.” He recites the burner number to Catriona, who curls her lip in disgust.

“Fuck you.”

Lorenzo moves his arm back like he’s going to hit her.

“Don’t,” I warn, stepping closer to them. “You can handle a little sass, Lorenzo.”

He stands up and glares at me.

“All sack, no nuts, that one,” Catriona snarls.

Damn. I almost start laughing but pull myself together before Lorenzo sees. Her defiance is foolish, but it’s sexy as hell. Lorenzo wheels on her, but I move in between them.

“Control yourself,” I say to my uncle, my voice low. I turn to Catriona and crowd her space, leaning closer. She’s scared, but she holds my gaze.

“And you,” I say, dropping my voice into a whisper. I put my hands on her shoulders gently, but firmly, and put my mouth near her ear. She’s wearing fancy diamond earrings. “Stop antagonizing him.”

“It’s not my fault Grandpa Jersey Shore made some bad life choices.”

She’s a wild one, and it’s a turn on. But still, it’ll be better for everyone if she settles down.

“I don’t need to hurt women to get them to do what I want, Catriona,” I gently move a curl from her forehead, trying to avoid any of the injuries on her lovely face. “And I want you to please refrain from running your mouth right now.”

I’m surprised at myself for adding the right now, but to be honest, her jabs at Lorenzo are spot on and funnier than I’d like to admit. Normally only family is allowed to talk shit about family, but Catriona’s earned that right after what Lorenzo’s put her through.

Her eyes move across my body. I’m a big man, six-foot-five, two hundred and fifty pounds, all muscle. I’ve worked in construction my whole life, and even now, as the boss, I still like to do the on-site work. Many people have called me intimidating, and not without reason. I don’t throw my weight around, but I’m not afraid to use my size when necessary.

She blinks a few times, opens her mouth, but then closes it.

Point made, apparently.

“It’s just a message,” I say. “Send it.”

Lorenzo smiles and hands me the phone.

“Gio, you do the filming. I want Daddy to know his little girl is safe.”

She lets out a bemused huff.

“You think this is funny?” Lorenzo asks. He grabs her chin and tips it up. I let him.

“Hilarious. But if you’re looking to tug at my father’s heart strings, you’ve picked the wrong daughter.”

Lorenzo lets go of her chin and pats her cheek. She winces when he comes in contact with one of the cuts.

“You’ll have to be convincing then, won’t you?”

“Do you even know how to use that?” she asks me, her eyes on my hands.

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