Page 37 of Cold

“I’m not judging or anything,” Six said quickly. “I just figured if I pissed him off this time,” he rubbed the back of his neck and glanced away, “I figured maybe if he liked that stuff, I could bring some of it over or have it delivered. Like you said, it’s none of my business, but I know what it’s like to have no one to talk to.” He looked at me. “And no offense, but you’re fucking ancient. He should be able to talk to some people his own age.”

My jaw dropped. “Ancient?”

Riccardo choked out a laugh and quickly swallowed it before he went stoic again. But I caught the way his eyes sparkled and his mouth tugged up at the ends. The little bastard.

“Not like that,” Six said. “Listen my whole thing is I just can’t shut the fuck up, so ignore that, but you know what I mean. He should be around other people. Not just you.”

My stomach twisted. But I want to keep him all to myself. It was probably safer for everyone around us and besides, I liked the time I shared with Romare. I had a hard time showing it, but he was interesting to me. And like a child, I didn’t want to share my toy.

But Six was right. It wasn’t about me. Romare needed to learn to survive and integrate into the real world again.

“He does like that stuff,” I said finally. “Especially cats, it seems. So, I’m sure if you brought something like that over he would be happy.”

Six smiled. “I’ll do that then. If you find out anything else he likes, text me or Ama. By the time I come back over, he’s going to love me. Everyone does.” He stared off into the distance a bit. “They have to.”

Amadeo tugged Six against his side. “Stop showing your Daddy issues. We’ll get out of your hair, Uncle Vito. Keep a close eye on Romare and if you need anything, let me know. Once I have more info I’ll come back.”

I nodded. “Alright.”

Amadeo was just like my brother. He didn’t trust technology at all. Everything he did was in person, never over the phone if it was anything that might be construed as illegal unless there were code words for it. He was as paranoid as Vincenzo, but that was what kept us all alive.

I let them out of my apartment and said my goodbyes. Lips met cheeks and I waved my nephews off. As soon as they were gone, I went back to the kitchen and cleaned up. Romare and I could order in.

I pushed open the door to his room and he was still fast asleep, his hair spread out against the pillow. Light kissed his cheek. He looks angelic. I crossed the room and stripped down to my boxers.

“Excuse me, Mr. Whiskers.”

I picked up his cat and tucked it on the other side of him. He’s got me talking to stuffed animals. I still need to clean that thing. I wasn’t sure how well that was going to go over, especially after today, but I would find some way to distract him while it was gone.

But I could worry about that later. I pulled Romare into my arms and he moaned in his sleep. He lazily opened one eye, saw me, and smiled.

“Daddy.”

My heart sped up so fast that I thought I was about to have a stroke. Daddy? He wanted me to fill that role for him? Or was he just dreaming?

I tucked some hair behind his ear and feathered a kiss on his forehead. “I would be all of that and more for you, Romare.”

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