Page 9 of Catching His Runaway

Afraid to hear the answer, I hold my breath long enough to make my lungs burn. My heart is thudding so hard, I refuse to believe he can’t feel the thump against his chest as he leans against me. Finally, I feel the rumble that comes from him when he chuckles.

“Retribution.”

As his answer causes a lump to form in the back of my throat, I don’t feel an ounce of relief when he moves his hand away from the door, allowing me to leave.

There’s no way of escape, I’m sure of it. Thanks to this man, I’m thoroughly trapped until further notice. If I have to guess, until I die.

Down deep, I have a feeling I’m going to meet my fate sooner rather than later if Tommy has anything to do with it.

4

Tommy

For years, she haunted me. Hell, the truth is, I didn’t move into her room because I felt like it would help. I did it to torture myself, like I didn’t already have enough reminders of everything she’s done by leaving the estate.

Now that she’s here, within my reach, the constant wear and tear on my mental health has paused long enough now that I have a new goal in mind.

I want this woman to suffer as much as I have. I don’t care if she’s only here for a day, or a week, or however long it takes for her brother to save the day. Every moment she’s breathing, I want to see her squirm.

Even now, watching her ignore the curious glances that come her way as we walk the hallways, I can see she’s uncomfortable. This family has grown in size since the last time she was here. Hell, I can bet more than half of the people here don’t have a clue who she is.

Even more, I’m sure they’re wondering whyI’mhovering. They see me more down below the estate than they do in the light. The only time I ever leave is when I need a lungful of air that isn’t full of chemicals and the scent of blood. The best spot to find that is the gardens. Normally, people leave me the fuck alone.

If it hadn’t been Valeria coming across my path, I would’ve scared anyone else away. Typically, when they scurry, I don’t give chase.

“The chandelier is new,” she murmurs as we reach the front entrance of the home. During my dragging of her earlier, she must not have had time to look around.

“Your brother throws parties on the weekends,” I explain, “he likes to show off his wealth.”

She rolls her eyes, going as far as shaking her head. “I guess one thing hasn’t changed about him. I hope he’s not as attention-seeking as he was during our younger years.”

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a part of the family while Santino and his brothers were in their youthful years. During that time, I was too busy fighting for my survival.

My frown grows at the passing memory. The gratitude I had felt back then for Leon Bertelli for taking me in had made me willing to do anything for him. If I hadn’t died on the street, I planned on giving my life to this family. For whatever reason, the Don chose to stick me with his daughter instead of the front line. Instead of a pawn, I became a knight.

To this day, I still don’t understand. But hey, like father, like son, maybe I can see why he’s trusted me enough to keep me glued to her side a second time.

“It looks far roomier in here. Renovations, I take it?” She looks at me like I have all the answers to her curiosities. I suppose in this case, I do. However, these last few years, I don’t have much of a clue what happens on the two floors.

Grunting, she takes my response with a nod. Her steps continue, and I match her slow pace.

She thinks I don’t notice the way her eyes drift toward the exits—doorways, windows, any crack in this gilded prison she could slip through.

Catching myself staring at her even when I don’t need to, my jaw aches as I grit my teeth harder. I look away, but it’s too late. My body’s already noticed what my brain’s screaming to ignore.

She’s not the scrawny brat who used to flip me off behind her father’s back. Time filled her out in ways that make my teeth ache. Hips that sway even when she’s pissed, a waist I could span with my hands, and thatmouth—always twisted in defiance, like she’s got a thousand insults weighing against her tongue.

And those eyes, the same ones the rest of her siblings share, they make her glances feel as sharp as the blades on my knives. Unknowingly, she pains me every time she throws curiosity in my direction. I’d rather she stare daggers every time.

I won’t have her spotting a weakness, even if it’s a small one. I’ll crush it down to nothing before it becomes a problem.

Unaware of the turmoil happening in my head, Valeria continues looking around before something catches her attention.

Hearing her suck in a breath and launch forward, I’m immediately ready to move. However, when I see who she’s darting toward, I relax.

Urzo and his wife have come back on their bike ride. Eliza’s got a helmet tucked under her arm, and neither looks surprised to see her. Maybe Santino already told them? Anyone could’ve seen from the scene we made outside. I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone on the estate knew of her arrival.

A completely different reaction to him over the eldest sibling, Valeria doesn’t give him enough time to debate if he holds her disappearance against her or not. She’s throwing herself at his chest and he’s catching her.

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