Page 48 of Catching His Runaway

His chest vibrates with a grunt, and I know it’s the best I’m going to get out of him at the moment. His body is still taut from adrenaline, and when he crashes, I’ll be there for him.

Urzo sighs at the gash on his arm, muttering that Eliza is going to kill him. His cheek is red too, swollen from a punch by the looks of it. As far as I can tell, he hasn’t been shot.

The Bertelli men aren’t impressive in name alone. Staying alive against a room of men, anyone who sees this scene will spread the word that my family is still one not to be fucked with, even during peaceful times.

Regret claws at my chest, making me feel like I don’t deserve this. However, the way Tommy keeps me close, it’s hard to believe he would’ve let me face my fate alone. Even if he was heading straight into his grave, he wouldn’t have walked. He would’ve run.

Approaching steps against broken glass cause Urzo to jerk before the muscles in his body relax.

“I’m a little rusty, but not bad, right? Got two on their way out.” Hugging his sniper to his chest, my brother grimaces at the scene inside. The one sibling I’ve yet to see. “You two are a mess. You know how hard it was to make sure no one shot you?”

“Lazaro?” Blinking my eyes to make sure they’re not playing tricks on me, I’m sure of it. Itismy brother standing there. The man who made it out, saying goodbye to all of this for a woman, apparently.

He came back to help with my rescue.

Lazaro looks my way before cursing under his breath. “They weren’t kidding. You really are alive. Fuck, you look rough.”

He steps over the mess at his feet and scowls at Tommy when he doesn’t release me. I have to pat his chest and pull away free so he can pull me into a hug.

“Finally came back and look at how much trouble you’ve brought to the front door. To think I was the troublemaker in the family. God, look at you. All grown up.” He squeezes me tight enough to make breathing impossible. When he sees Tommy itching to pull me back, his brows narrow.”Go wash your hands, they’re disgusting. You’re getting blood all over her.”

He doesn’t move, and I blow out a sigh of relief. “I’ll go with him. I do feel disgusting.”

Lazaro releases me and nods. “We’ll catch up.”

I’d hope so. While I’m curious about him, I want to calm down a little myself. I’m still reeling from everything that’s happened in the last ten minutes.

Taking Tommy’s hand, I pull him in the direction of hopefully a bathroom so we can clean up.

16

Tommy

As the deep color of dark red stains the sink with fallen drops from my fingers, I watch in the mirror as Valeria prods at her cheek. When she winces, my jaw aches with how tightly my teeth are clenched.

I should’ve broken his fingers. His legs, too. If only I had more time. If only.

If it weren’t for her watchful eyes burning into my back for the entirety of my revenge, I may have considered knocking him unconscious before dragging him back home to make him truly hurt.

At that moment, I couldn’t think that far ahead in the future. All I wanted her to see was his life leave his body. She’s seen one man die before her eyes, and it left her with trauma. I didn’t think about doubling down on her mental health. Something deep inside of me promised she’d be more upset with me if I let him leave that cabin alive. After the fact, I think so even more.

The woman staring at herself doesn’t look scared. She looks content despite the situation she’s in.

When her eyes flick over toward me, her reflection doesn’t fill with anger or disgust. It should, though.

She should be upset that I let her get hurt in the first place.

“You’ve got your thoughts written all over your face.” Shaking her head, she turns and pulls my attention away from the mirror. “I’m okay, I promise.”

On the outside, she may have new scars on her cheek. On the inside, I have no idea what he has done to her before our arrival. If I ask her, will she tell me?

“Valeria–”

She reaches out and grabs one of my hands, letting droplets of clear water hit the counter. She squeezes it tight despite the raw wounds radiating heat from my knuckles. Lifting my hand, she brushes her mouth against my fingers before her breath tickles the skin.

“Thank you for finding me. I thought you might–” Her voice wavers, and her brows pinched together. “I wouldn’t abandon you again. I want you to know that.”

I was foolish to think she would. If it weren’t for her mother, I would have spiraled back to where I was that day all those years ago. I can’t go back.

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