Page 5 of Catching His Runaway

Where the hell has she been all this time?

During my intense search for her over the first couple of years, how did she stay hidden from me?

Why is she back?

If I ask her any of my questions now, she’ll lie to my face while pursing those plump lips and batting those long eyelashes at me.

Fuck. I need to tie her tosomethingso she can’t escape again. If I don’t have to worry about her leaving, I can calm myself down so I can think clearly. Right now, on the path I’m headed down, I’m not sure what I’ll do if I get both my hands on her.

The answer is obvious. I’d wrap my fingers around her dainty throat. Wouldn’t put them anywhere else. Every inch of her body is dangerous, if not lethal.

Fuck.

“Tommy!” In the distance, I hear a familiar voice. One that helps clear the fog a bit.

The man I swore my life to has got his eyes set on us, his face serious. Santino must’ve seen us outside and the scene that played out.

As much as my body screams to disobey and take her somewhere to release whatever this is knotting up in my chest, my feet suddenly gain enough weight to keep me grounded.

“Let her go,” he orders once he’s caught up to us.

She flinches beneath my grip, and I feel the way her body stiffens. The fear in her voice revealed it earlier, and her reaction now is no different. She didn’t come back to her family. Rather, she hoped to sneak in without being noticed.

I want to knowwhy.

“Valeria.” He takes her in slowly and shakes his head. He doesn’t immediately ask me to take her somewhere she can’t escape. No, he’s got this look in his eyes that makes my rage flicker up. The look of longing, the one a sibling would give after not seeing each other for a while.

Gritting my teeth, I don’t speak a word. I’d rather bite my tongue off than speak back to this man. My opinion doesn’t mean a damn thing compared to his.

Pulling away, I watch the way her hand immediately moves to cup her arm, soothing the marks I’ve stained with the pressure of my fingers. If I have to guess, the little red ovals will bruise over the next few days.

I don’t feel better. Not in the slightest. Even worse, when I put distance between us, actually.

“Let’s go to my office. We can speak there.” He sighs through his nose and shakes his head as he grumbles. “Made me leave my family picnic for this.”

She looks at him curiously, her brows bunching together. “Apicnic?”

Valeria’s been gone, so she’s missed the last few years of peace. After clearing the air with one of Santino’s rivals, he’s been able to settle down with his wife and even have a kid.

“Yes, a picnic.” He motions us to follow.

Hovering in her shadow, I notice the way she looks back cautiously at me before trudging forward. If she considers trying to run, then I’ll catch her all over again and drag her right back.

Santino doesn’t ask me to leave once we’ve reached our destination. I’m practically his brother with the way I’ve climbed up to be right at his side. Ever since his brother Lazaro left his side, I’ve claimed it for my very own. Despite not being blood, he still treats me the very same, putting his trust in me.

It’s a position I’ve bled for and sacrificed my body for over the years.

She doesn’t take a seat, like she’s afraid to be trapped against the cushions.

Santino doesn’t address where he wants her to be; instead, he circles his desk so he can take a seat. Once comfortable, he fixes her with such a heavy gaze that she squirms.

“Are you going to tell me what has made you come back?” Santino leans back in his chair, his arms crossing over his chest. “We thought you were dead. Our mother was the only one who refused to believe it, so you’ve got some fucking explaining to do.”

Now that the longing phase is over, he’s radiating more with betrayal. Good.

Valeria frowns and jerks her chin as she settles against the seat across from his desk, now realizing there’s no escaping this conversation. Despite the age gap between the two, she hardly shows him the respect he deserves.

Even if Santino has calmed down over the years, he’s still the man he needs to be at times. While he’d never gethishands dirty, he’d turn to me, and I’d be happy to do him justice.

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