“Contact? No. I thought he was recovering.”
“Damn it.”
My stomach drops. “Are you sending me back to my father?”
“How about we make a deal?” he smoothly replies.
“What kind of deal? You want me to put in a good word to Bianca on your behalf?”
His face crunches, and I almost laugh. This big-dicked, talented-mouthed hunk has women falling all over him. The idea he’d need my help is comical.
“This remains between us, capisci?”
A nagging feeling settles in. “What did he do?”
“You’ll be under my protection if you help me. Your father will no longer have a say over you.”
Oh. My. God. He’s handing me years of missed birthdays wrapped up in one enormous gift. No more running. No more being a pawn in my father’s games. “One more thing.” I force the words out. “My mother disappeared when I was five. I want to know if he did it, if he killed her.”
“Done.”
I’ll finally know. And now under Dante’s protection, I’ll find ways to hurt Darling Daddy that would make any made man proud.
Dante silently watches me, waiting for my question.
“What’s the deal?”
“Renzo. He’s missing. And I need you to track him down.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
RENZO
A red lightblinks overhead like a heartbeat. My thoughts twist, trying to pin down what it is. Fire alarm? Drone sweeping the night sky?
No. Fuck, it’s worse.
I see it clearly now. The flashing neon sign inviting me through addiction’s gate. Welcoming me back. Wondering where I’ve been. As if it never believed I’d stay gone long.
I struggle against its pull.
This isn’t what I want.
Poison floods my veins, cruel, twisted comfort.
Then.
Mind.
Over.
Awareness crawls in,slow and unwelcome.
Velvet sheets beneath my naked body. Music. Perfume. Hands I don’t recognize, roaming over my flesh.
Not again …
What the fuck have I done?