Page 49 of Carnal

"No. You haven't answered my question. What's the meeting with Rubio about?" he demands.

I rack my brain, scowling at him.

"Tristano, I want an answer. Now," he states.

"We're going through the upcoming shipment and route to the new buyer," I fib.

"It's not for three weeks."

"Yeah. I'm trying to be proactive. Is that a problem?" I seethe.

Papà studies me, and I do everything in my power not to flinch.

When he doesn't speak, I hurl, "So it's a problem?"

He sniffs hard. "No. Go on. Let me know what the new plan is when you get back."

"Fine," I snarl, adding a visit to Rubio to my list of things to do today and cursing myself for creating that lie. I just added a big project to my day. I push past Papà and go outside. The remnants of the previous weekend's blizzard are still on the ground but almost completely melted. Salt covers the steps and driveway to keep people from falling. My boots crunch over it as I walk.

I get into the front seat, and Flex nods. "Boss. Where are we heading?"

"Dante's office, then the docks," I reply.

"Got it," he says, veering toward the gate.

I sit back in my seat, glancing at the text messages I sent Pina. Every unanswered one makes my gut drop. Reading them makes me feel like a desperate teenager who can't take a hint.

But we're good together. She knows it, and I know it.

Dante probably freaked her out somehow.

Flex interrupts me, asking, "Guess who's back in town?" He glances at me, and I can faintly see his eyes through his sunglasses.

"Who?" I ask.

"Callie Langford."

I whistle. Callie and Flex used to date in high school, then on and off until she moved to California. I question, "Why's she in town?"

Flex glances over his shoulder then moves into the other lane before veering onto the expressway ramp. "Don't know."

"How do you know she's back?"

His lips twitch. "She texted me."

"Did you see her yet?"

"Not yet. Was hoping you didn't need me tonight?"

I review my schedule in my head then respond, "Unless something changes, I don't."

"Thanks."

"How long has it been since you saw her?" I ask.

He lowers his voice. "Too long."

Right now, I understand that feeling. I've not seen Pina in a few days. It's been years for Flex and Callie, and I'm fairly certain he's not over her. "How long is she in town?"

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