Page 63 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

Oh I would.

Atlee reached out and grabbed the doorknob. “Now, let’s go and see him.”

Let’s? Oh hell no.

“Oh no.” I stopped him from opening the door. “Weare not going anywhere. You are going to stay out here.”

Atlee Fiore escorting me was not going to help. There was no excuse in the world Kato would buy for that.

The guard huffed, “minors must be accompanied by an adult.”

This guy was really getting on my nerves. “God forbid we break the rules. Or do you only do that when you’re paid.”

He smacked his lips at me.

I smiled at him.

That’s right buddy, I got your number.

There was a high chance that I may have gotten slapped – I saw the guards hand twitch – but Atlee intervened. Killjoy.

“She can go by herself.”

The guard wasn’t letting it go. “Minor’s must be accompanied by an adult.”

“You want to call Cesare and tell him that?” Atlee asked with an arch of his brow.

A spark of fear flashed across the guard’s face before he cleared his throat and grumbled, “fine.”

That’s right asshole. I’m with Cesare Mancini… wait.

He waved at the door and said, “You have eight minutes.”

“I’m gonna take nine.” I spat and walked in the room.

The look he gave me in response had me feeling pretty proud of myself. That is until the door clicked closed and I heard a familiar voice say, “Nova?”

That one word echoed through the air like an orchestra of drums. I didn’t know if it was because the room was empty, except for a small table and two chairs, or if it was because of the way my brother was staring at me.

Kato was seated at the table with his arms folded over his chest. He was not happy. I could feel the anger burning in his piercing blue glare all the way across the room, which felt a lot smaller than it actually was.

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen him like this – hell, I’d pissed him off worse on more than one occasion – and there was only one thing to do when he had that look on his face.

I gave Kato a big smile, raised my hand, waved and sang, “surprise,” in the most annoyingly sweet voice I could muster.

He didn’t say a word. Just sat back and continued to glare as I walked over.

The silence was almost deafening. It was weird being alone with my brother. Every time I’d seen him there were people watching. Guards, and other visitors filled the room we were in.

I hated having to share my time with him, but right now, I’d give anything to have someone else in the room. Maybe then I wouldn’t notice how much of him was gone. I couldn’t see the Kato I grew up with anywhere. There was only hardness and anger in his blue eyes. This place didn’t break him, it made him someone else.

“So…” I sat down in the other chair. “How have you been?”

“I’m in prison. How do you think I’ve been?”

Alright, that was a dumb question.

I stared at him for a few seconds while trying to think of something to say. Did I comment on the tattoos on his knuckles and neck? Or ask him about his day? I didn’t butt heads with Kato like I did with Veda. He was easy to talk to. Or he used to be. Was there any part of my brother left?

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