Page 56 of Catching His Runaway

“I get it, tonight has been one of the roughest we’ve had in a long time. Sleep it off, and we can talk about it–”

“I want out,” I repeat the words again. “Valeria is now my top concern. Tell me the cost, and I’ll make it happen. I won’t cut ties with the family, but I can’t keep doing what I am. Not with her happiness on the line.”

“Ever since she came back, you haven’t been yourself. Is it because she’s a handful? Should I put someone else to watch her? Fuck, does she even want to stay now that guy is dead? Valeria doesn’t need a babysitter anymore. You can go back to the way things were before. You love what you do,” he reminds me, referring to the past.

My fingers curl at my side, my hands fisting tight enough to make my knuckles ache. “Not as much as I love her.”

The words flow off my tongue, and I struggle to believe I’ve heard myself. Hell, even Santino has whiplash. He jerks back and takes me in like I am a man he doesn’t recognize. I don’t recognize myself either.

“Whatever you want to take, it’s yours.” I lift my hands, taking in my missing pinkies while noticing all the damage from using them over the years. “There isn’t a cost big enough.”

If he needs a final job done, one that risks my life, I’ll do it. He wants my hands, I’ll give them to him. Anything to keep Valeria at my side.

He knocks back his drink, shaking his head. “My little sister, seriously?”

“She’s not little. She’s the biggest handful I’ve ever met, but she’s the one. And you know damn well what lines I’ll be willing to cross to make her mine.” The words that leave my lips aren’t a threat, but a promise.

He has a wife and a kid. He should understand better than most.

From the way his eyes close and he sighs heavily, I can see the years are taking a toll on him. He’s much softer than he was before Camellia came into his life.

“I’ll keep her out of trouble. Something tells me now that she’s reacquainted with everyone, she won’t want to stay away, either. Not if we don’t suffocate her.”

“My mother will be crushed if she leaves again,” he sighs, “Urzo as well.”

Silence fits between us for a few passing seconds. “We’ll come visit. More than Lazaro does. She’ll miss you too, Santino.”

Even if their bond isn’t as strong as what she has with her other brothers, I’d be blind to see that Santino isn’t worried about her. As the eldest, he was the angriest when she disappeared the first time. Through experience, he’s learned not to lead with emotions. This is just his poor attempt to not let them show.

Every time Valeria is involved, he’s done a terrible job at staying platonic.

Sitting back in his chair, the leather creaks, and he turns his attention back to the camera footage. Flicking his hand at me, his fingers assure me to leave. “I’ll consider it. Please, get some sleep, you look terrible.”

Despite dismissing me, there’s a shift in his voice. Something that leaves enough room to allow hope to fill my chest.

It seems I won’t have to risk everything by kidnapping her away from here, disobeying an order given by Santino himself. To do something so out of character for myself, I know there’s no going back. This is who I am now.

Not a monster. Just a man weakened by love. I can’t even be upset by the change, not while Valeria is the one who’s the reason behind it.

Thanking him, I do as I’m told and shuffle my way out of his office. As soon as the door is shut behind me, I realize I must have left my guard at the door before entering. No, it must have been even before that.

Valeria Is sitting on the ground, her knees tucked to her chin. Knowing I left her sleep, I guess she must have noticed my disappearance rather quickly.

When she looks up at me, I don’t expect to see wide, glossy eyes. The site is enough to make my breath catch in my throat.

Did something happen? Did someone say something to her while I was talking to Santino?

“I can’t believe you,” she mutters under her breath as she moves to stand.

She’s upset. She must’ve realized that I’ve gone behind her back to do something so outrageous. I can explain it to her, I can make her understand why I’m willing to part ways.

When she stands, I’m ready to do just that, but she catches me off guard when she reaches for my face. It’s not anger or hurt that’s on her face, but the complete opposite. She’s smiling.

“You should be sleeping,” I murmur as her fingers stroke my cheeks. It’s hard not to close my eyes and lean into her touch.

Santino has a point. I am exhausted. Tired of fighting the way I feel.

“Not without you.” Stroking my cheeks with her thumbs, despite the exhaustion simmering in her eyes, her smile remains. Her hands slide down until she’s reaching for one of my hands. Grabbing it, she gives it one squeeze before tugging me away from Santino’s office door.

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