Page 31 of Catching His Runaway

“I’m not leaving her alone,” I finally let out, glaring ahead. Knowing how much he cares about his sister, if this is his way of making me put my guard down, then he has another thing coming.

“She won’t be alone. Eliza will keep her distracted. Give her a few hours to breathe without having you down her throat and join me.” He rolls his neck, his mouth soon matching mine. “Santino wants us to check out the casino and have a talk with Renato Marino.”

The inside of my cheek throbs before I realize I’m biting down on it. Grinding my teeth, the turmoil happening inside flares up.

I don’t want Valeria to leave my reach. I want to see Elijah up close. I don’t want the two to be anywhere near each other.

“She’ll be fine, Tommy. From what I hear, she doesn’t have a reason to go anywhere.” He tries to say the words he thinks will reassure me, but all they do is add gasoline to the fire fueling my rage.

Looking at him, I can’t hold back my glare. “And what exactly have you been hearing?”

It had taken strength for Valeria to tell me what had happened to her. If someone had overheard her and dared to spill a secret that wasn’t their own–

Urzo lifts a brow at my hostility and clicks his tongue. “Her debts. Jesus. Down, boy.”

My body doesn’t listen. His words are proof that I’m changing. From babysitter to guard dog.

Moving to stand, I try to look back at the life growing up the trellises to ease this sensation clawing at my chest, but it doesn’t work. “If Santino gave the order, then that’s what matters. Lead the way. Don’t think I’m getting on that bike of yours.”

The tension between us lessens when I settle into his information. He snorts and motions me to follow him toward the garage.

“You’re driving. Pick whatever you want. Oh, and Eliza wanted me to tell you she’ll kill you if anything happens to me.” He’s serious, of course. I know better than to doubt a promise that comes from that hot-headed woman.

“Depends on who stands in our way.” Grumbling the words, we make our way to the garage, and I snatch the keys to one of our muscle cars.

If I want to keep my mind clear without worrying about what I’m missing out on by leaving Valeria’s side, then I’m going to need something fast.

* * *

Renado isn’t the type to do his business by dirtying his hands by selling sex or drugs. He likes things flashy. So when we pull up to his best-earning business, I’m not surprised by the flashing lights or loud noises singing from the speakers above.

“They’re going to kick us out before we can even find who we’re looking for,” I mutter as I take in the sight.

Urzo and I are similar in our own ways. Both freak shows in appearance, he’s got a mean gash through his lips. I’m missing fingers and dotted in my own scars. Normal civilians look our way and know the best thing to do is to run.

“Guess we better not get distracted then. We’re here for Renado, that’s it.” Like I need the reminder, he states the obvious.

He doesn’t know I want to get my hands on Elijah. Santino doesn’t want to start a fight that doesn’t need to be fought. Maybe he thinks I want to burn some cash on machines that know how to lure addicts in. To keep my sanity clear, I have to be smart and remind myself of the reality of Urzo’s words.

I’m willing to bet my entire savings that he’ll make an appearance. With Valeria on the line, I can feel it deep in my bones.

Grunting to his warning, I curl and uncurl my fingers, debating if I’ll be able to control myself.

Walking past the rows and rows of slot machines, I don’t pay attention to the crowds of people mindlessly pushing buttons. This place is the physical form of brain rot. Hell, none of them flinch at us because they’re too busy hoping they’ll win back even a sliver of what they’ve already lost.

Urzo leads like he’s been here before, and with all the marriage ties, I’m sure he’s come here with Santino before. He takes us to an elevator, one guarded by two security thugs. Their recognition of him fuels my certainty that my guess is correct, as they lead us inside. They take us to the top, straight to the surveillance room.

The air feels thin and dry, and such a large room barely has many bodies. Fewer eyes when it comes to what’s about to take place here, if I have to guess.

Renado rests against the edge of the surveillance desk, his arms crossed as he watches us through his good eye. There isn’t hatred or nerves behind his stare, just annoyance.

Urzo has this stiffness to him at the sight of the Don. Might still hold a grudge that Renado almost married his wife before they met.

“I’ve had Santino in one ear, and Rocco’s in the other. Camellia keeps calling him up, asking him for help. I’m tired of this.” His lips form a scowl as he takes us both in. “I don’t know why he bothered sending two of you here. One is all it takes for negotiations.”

Urzo didn’t mention negotiations. Neither of us are good talkers. We’d rather use our hands to get our message across. He made it clear on the way here that we’re not trying to shake things up.

I don’t even truly understand why he asked me to come if it wasn’t an excuse to get Valeria alone.

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