Page 157 of Driftwood Daffodil

“So you’re just going to torture him for the rest of his life?”

“Pretty much,” he nodded.

Did I really expect anything different? Gio didn’t care what my family was going through. It didn’t matter how much I missed my brother. All he wanted was our pain and suffering. There was no negotiating with that.

Special Agent Jack’s offer was looking more and more appealing. Nothing would make me more happy than watching him lock up the entire Mancini family and throw away the key. But that wouldn’t guarantee Kato’s safety. It might just get him killed, and possibly myself.

Then what would happen to Veda? Who would she have left? Maw Maw didn’t know what to do when she had a panic attack. She didn’t know what song helped her fall asleep after she had a nightmare, or when to take the baby away from her. I couldn’t risk leaving her alone. But I couldn’t leave Kato either.

Atlee’s voice suddenly rang through my head.

“Some deals can’t be broken.”

Deal? Was that the answer? The mafia made deals all the time. At least according to the movies I’d seen. Gio did refer to what Kato owed them as a debt, and debts could be taken on by other people, right? There was no harm in finding out.

“What if I took his place?” The worst he could say was no, and I’d be right back to where I was.

“Why would I agree to that?”

He wanted me to convince him to do this shit? Seriously? Though I suppose he did have a fair argument. He already picked on me, and followed me around – which I was considering giving him lessons on. What kind of stalker hides in plain sight?

So what would he have to gain other than tips? Hell, I couldn’t even do anything to stop him from spanking me. My ass was so bruised that I winced every time sat down. And I liked sitting down.

That’s when it hit me… “Because I’m not fake.”

He told that woman he didn’t want her fake tears. I had no shame. I’d give him all the real tears he wanted.

Gio spun around and cocked a brow. “You’re not fake?”

“No,” I said. “You really want to punish me.”

I think my ass was proof of that.

Oh crap the anger was back.

“Were you spying on me?”

“I may have overheard a little,” they were being awfully loud. “But I’m not wrong, am I?”

I held my breath and silently prayed that I wouldn’t end up like that desk.

Gio folded his arms over his chest and clicked his tongue off the roof of his mouth. “No, you’re not wrong.”

Phew.

“But you have no idea what you’re asking for.”

It was fairly simple as far as I was concerned. Gio would take his revenge out on me and leave my brother alone. I thought that was the idea, then again, I could be wrong?

“Will Kato be safe?” I asked, figuring it was better to clarify things, just in case.

“Yes.”

There we go. “Then I don’t care.”

Kato not getting hurt anymore was all that mattered. I’d breathe easier knowing that he was okay. Anxiety was starting to make me twitch every time the phone rang.

“You will care, I can promise you that.”

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