Page 17 of Cold

Get through this. Come on.

"Let's talk about Sergei," I said, trying to further our conversation. "Why did our information lead to you and Sergei when we were only looking for Andrei? They have to know each other."

Romare lifted a shoulder and let it drop. "I don't know," he muttered.

"Are you even paying attention?"

Romare glanced up at me and frowned. "Sorry, but I don't want to talk about that." He stood up and grabbed his cat as he shuffled off toward his room. "I'm tired."

I watched until he was gone before I sighed. Why the hell did Ama think this was a job for me? I wasn't in touch with my feelings. And Romare's damage was clearly something I had never dealt with before.

I tugged out my phone. Amadeo had to know what to do.

Vito: He's in a bad mood. I'm not getting any more info. What do you want me to do? Drop him off at your place?

Ama: No, I'm busy. Not even at home.

Ama: You need to connect with him.

Vito: How! Do you think this is something I do for goddamn fun?

Ama: Do something he might like to do. He's been locked up for years. Make him happy and see if he'll talk. Bribe him.

I blew out a breath. Great. How the hell was I supposed to know what he wanted? We were a good twenty years apart in age. My idea of a good time was going to be vastly different from what he thought was entertaining.

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I walked down the hall and tried to think of things young people liked to do. Besides being on their phones or annoying the shit out of me, I had no clue.

By the time I reached Romare's door, a thought had started to form in my head. Romare had been locked up, thrown into the dark and kept away from everyone and everything he knew. He was still in hiding with me, but I could give him a little bit of freedom.

I knocked on his door before I let myself in. Romare laid on his stomach, his legs splayed as he stared at the TV. He gazed over his shoulder at me and wiggled his ass gently.

Is he doing that on purpose? Or am I imagining things?

Romare's eyes swept up and down my body. "Yes?" he asked. "I'm tired."

I shook my head. "I know," I said, calming myself down. "But I wanted to know if you would like to get out of the house."

He frowned as he propped himself up on his elbow. "Are you telling me I have to leave?"

"No, of course not," I snapped. "Why would that be the first thing you go to?"

He shrugged. "I guess I keep expecting that." Romare licked his plump lips. "Where would we go?"

"It would be a surprise," I said.

I needed to get things in order first. Romare had to stay hidden, and if he wanted to go out, then I had to keep him safe. Or Ama would have my ass.

Romare tilted his head. "When?"

"Get dressed and I'll come get you when I'm ready."

Romare perked up. "Okay!" He bounced off of the bed and ran over to me. "Can I bring Mr. Whiskers?"

"Whatever," I muttered.

He stood on the tips of his toes and planted a kiss on my shoulder. "Thank you. I can't wait!"

Romare danced away and I stared at him. The spot on my arm where his lips had pressed against my flesh tingled. I stared at it for a long time before I tugged my phone out of my pocket and started dialing.

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