Page 12 of Catching His Runaway

Lately, I’ve been struggling to trust anyone. It’s already a challenge giving my back to Tommy, but I’m growing used to his presence.

When I don’t move to sit down, despite Tommy kicking out a chair for himself, she stands and places a hand on her chest. “I’m Camellia. Bia told me about you.”

Guess that means my mother knows I’m here. Avoiding her completely is going to be impossible.

“Sit,” Tommy orders as he kicks the legs of another chair, forcing it away from the table.

He thinks that with all these chairs available, I’ll want to sit next to him?

Debating one last time if I should drift back out of the room or not, I move toward Camellia instead. Alle, if I remember right, stares up blankly at me.

Cute enough to be lethal. She’s going to be a dangerous one when she grows up, especially if Urzo’s wife is describing her as a handful.

“Santino hasn’t told me much about you,” she continues as we both settle down. “Will you be staying for long?”

I scoff under my breath and shrug a shoulder. “Ask him.”

Motioning toward Tommy with my fork, I can feel his eyes on me as I take a bite of food.

It’sdelicious. The rich sauce and perfectly cooked pasta noodles make the perfect combo. I can’t help but shovel in a few more bites.

The truth is, ever since I went on the run, I haven’t had much to eat. With only so much cash on me, I couldn’t risk using my card anywhere. Knowing I’d be found with ease if I was reckless with my spending, I had to play my cards carefully.

Now I’m going to risk hurting my stomach because I’m eating too much.

If they opened the gates to me right now, would I be in a rush to leave? I don’t have anywhere to go. Willing to bet my accounts are drained dry, and that my apartment is destroyed, it’s not like I’ve got a life to live.

At this point, I don’t even think I can try to steal anything of value. Once Santino gets his information, he’ll know how much I owe and will expect me to do something reckless. Something that’ll truly cut me out of this family.

“She’ll be staying with us indefinitely,” Tommy explains to her before he takes a rough bite of his roll. Damn brute.

I feel safer here than I do outside of the gate. That’s not saying much, but I don’t think I’ll keep fighting to get out. That’s not to say I’ll let myself get comfortable, either.

My head throbs as I keep thinking about it. Taking another bite, I sigh.

“It’ll take a while to get everything resolved, if it does. You’ll see me around.”

Camellia, too good for this side of life, beams at me in what looks like excitement. “I look forward to it.”

After finishing off our meal and listening to how she met my brother, I’m already exhausted by the family politics fueling their relationship. By the end of it, I’m ready to slip off in the direction of an empty room and fall asleep.

I couldreallyuse a shower.

“These guys have a terrible habit of not getting us clothes when we need them.” Camellia pulls out her phone, and much to Tommy’s dismay, offers it over to me. “Want to order yourself some?”

Caught off guard by her kindness, I swallow thickly. While he’s thinking I’ll do something with her device, it’s the last thing I want to touch. “Um, I’m good. I, uh, already have some clothes.”

Seeing her confusion as she sits back, I look at Tommy instead. He’ll be the one I need to get them.

“If I’m staying here, then I need to get my stuff. I left my belongings in my car.” Already seeing the words form on his tongue, I frown. “And no, I won’t trust anyone here to go grab my car. I’d like to get it myself.”

His mouth curves, and his smile is unsettling. “You think you have a choice?”

Before we have the chance to start another argument, I’m surprised by Camellia turning his way.

“You make it sound like she’s a prisoner, Tommy. She’s ourguest.” The kindness slips from her face, and I’m surprised by the frown that forms. “Help her with what she needs. If she’s staying with us for a while, then shouldn’t she be comfortable?”

Okay, yeah. I think I can like this woman.

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