Page 71 of Crazed

"Easy. This isn't your Lamborghini. We don't need the transmission blowing out," I reprimand.

"Leave it to Tully to give us unreliable vehicles," Tristano states.

I add, "I think he wants something to happen so we have to figure it out. It's like he needs some extra entertainment."

"He needs to get a hobby," Tristano mumbles.

"Yep," I agree. My phone vibrates, and I glance at the message.

Arianna:I want to talk to you before we leave. When are you coming home?

I sigh, my stomach pitching. The one person I owed a heads-up to that I was bringing Katiya to the club opening was my sister. I didn't think straight and shouldn't have put her or Katiya in that position.

Tristano weaves around a semi, and the van shakes. He asks, "What's wrong?"

I shift in my seat. "I should have discussed Katiya with Arianna before last night."

Tristano whistles. "Gotta give it to you, brother. No one can accuse you of not having any balls."

"How was Arianna when you got home last night?"

"I didn't go home."

"No? Where were you?" I question.

"Out."

"All night?"

He arches an eyebrow. "Is that a crime?"

I chuckle. "No. I didn't know you were seeing anyone. Who is she?"

He clenches his jaw, refocusing on the traffic. "Just a woman."

"Which woman?" I press again.

"None of your business. So you're sure about Katiya?" he asks, switching the subject.

I don't hesitate. "Yes. Of course I am. And, hey, thanks for being nice to her last night."

He keeps his eyes on the road, gripping the wheel tighter. "Yeah, no problem."

I hesitate then ask what's not been sitting right since the conversation last night. "Do you know why Papà changed his tune about Katiya?"

Tristano shrugs. "Who knows. It's not the first time Papà's flipped the switch about his opinion on someone."

I scratch my chin, pointing out, "But it doesn't happen often."

"Yeah, and when it does, we never understand it," Tristano claims, but I can't argue.

He pulls up to the brownstone where Agent Dominico is then turns off the ignition. We remove our glasses, put on our shields, then get out of the vehicle, walking to the back. One of the other vans passes us and parks a block away.

Tristano opens the back door. There is a large white bin on wheels inside. A small black case is inside the bin.

I reach for the case, remove a syringe, and add the solution. It's a drug Papà had our chemist create. It makes kidnapping easier, and the victim is able to wake up when we force him to by putting another solution over his airway, or after twelve hours on his own. When the syringe is full, I stick it in my pocket and nod to my brother.

He pushes a button, and a ramp lowers to the ground. I grab the corner of the bin and move it to the ground. Tristano drags the handcuffs to the end of the rod so they're out of sight. I place orange cones and a hazard sign around the van.

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