Page 124 of Never Say Never

I swallowed hard as my heart stuck in my throat. Shit, he wanted me to actually help out. I felt that old pull, that desire to go back into the office, get in the field, throw some bastards behind bars. It was like an itch, burrowing beneath my skin that needed to be scratched. However, at the end of the day, I couldn't do it. Not yet.

The war needed to be over before I could leave my daughter's again. Besides, Paolo wasn't going to let me go. As much as it drove me crazy, deep down I knew he was right. We'd been safe since we arrived in the apartment. I couldn't put myself in danger when my children still needed me.

"I can't," I said.

Casey sighed. "I knew it was a long shot with everything that's been going on, but I had to try."

"I don't fault you for it," I told him. "Trust me, I want to be on the ground, making a difference, but I have to think about my girls."

"Yes, I know. Okay, I'll keep you in mind though, for the future."

"Please do. Thanks."

We hung up, and I sighed as I pushed the phone back into my pocket. It was driving me crazy not to text the team, but Paolo insisted that I not do that. So far, he'd been right. He kept us safe. The least I could do was listen to his wishes.

I turned and headed back up the flight of stairs. Nik still stood there, his hand fluttering to his gun when he caught sight of me. For a moment, I froze, and he let out a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry, sir," he said, his eyes wide with panic. "Please don't tell Mr. Vitale I almost drew my gun on you. I didn't mean that. I just wasn't sure who was coming up the stairs."

I held up a hand. "It's fine. Don't worry about it. Let's go back to the apartment."

"Yes, sir!"

I joined him as we exited the stairwell and headed back down the hall. Someone ran past me, turned, and charged back the other way. For a moment, I thought it was Paolo. Until he spoke.

"You two suck at this game. Hurry up and hide, you little shits!"

I stopped. "Giancarlo?"

He turned, panting as he looked me up and down. "It's the fed! How the hell did you know it was me?"

"Just a hunch." I sighed. "Please don't call the girls little shits. Where's Paolo?"

"Still talking to Benito. He asked me to come down and check on you guys and then the girls decided to play with me."

"They're out of the apartment?"

"Don't worry, we're keeping an eye on the little brats. Anyone fucks with them, Paolo says they get to meet Silvy."

I shuddered. Right, something about his damn hammer. "Where are they now?"

"Hiding. There's not a ton of shit to get behind so I told them to get creative."

Shaking my head, I groaned. "Thank you for that. I better get them."

"Aww, but we were having fun."

"What the hell do you two think you're doing!" a woman's voice pierced the air.

Shelly?

I started to step around the corner, but instead, something told me to hang back. As I looked around it, I got a clear view of Shelly as she stormed down the hall. She grabbed one arm of each of my daughter’s before she started stalking back to the apartment, their little feet struggling to keep up.

"You two are just like your mother. Disobedient, too independent, and you refuse to use your brains. Do you want to be murdered? Apparently so. There's a reason your mother met her end so damn quickly. Just as stubborn and hard-headed," she muttered. "When we get inside, you two are confined in your rooms until dinner. And you’ll be lucky if you get fed at all."

My stomach twisted so hard I felt sick. I'd never heard Shelly speak to the kids that way. Yes, she tended to be firm, but it was needed sometimes. This was a different level. It was too damn far.

"Shelly," I snapped as I raced around the corner.

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