Page 30 of Destruction

Jude holds up his thin knife. “You learn a lot by blending into the background and observing. I picked this trick up from Doc.” He slides the knife back into his sleeve. “The ropes weren’t meant tokeepus here,” he says blandly. “Surely you realized that?”

Benjamin wiggles in his bonds, trying and failing to get loose. “I have fucking rope burn on my wrists and forearms from them sliding around.”

“Next time, pay closer attention,” I tell him mildly. “I told you exactly how to get out of them as I was tying you up.”

He glares at me yet doesn’t respond. Sighing, I release him, but press down on his shoulder so he stays sitting. Crouching down, I whisper, “You are so much better than this, Topolino. I am very disappointed.”

He swallows and tries to glare, but…there’s something in those sea green eyes that I can’t name. It’s not the indignation he tries to hold onto, though.

He looks away, his cheeks flushing red. I let him, this time, not wanting to push him too far right now. I’d rather hold onto the pleasant sensations my rendezvous with Roman created, not ruin it with this interesting, but slightly clueless boy.

Benjamin scowls. “It’s not nice to talk about people.”

I look over to Roman and Jude, who stare back at Benjamin. Jude with amusement, while Roman frowns. “It’s not nice to eavesdrop.”

“Be nice, Little Prince. My topolino has had a long day already.”

“Would you stop calling me that?” Benjamin asks. “It’s not nice to call people names when they don’t understand what you’re saying, either.”

Roman laughs and then signs, “Ignacio isn’t going to like it when he hears you call his preciousLittle Mousethat.”

I grin. “Ask if I care.”

“That’s…not ASL,” Benjamin points out.

Roman rolls his eyes. “No shit. It’s LIS—Italian Sign Language. Because American Sign isn’t the only one out there.”

“I know that.”

Roman gives him a dubious look, but turns back to Jude and helps him out of his chair, picking his cane up off the floor, where it must have fallen while he tried to get out of the rope.

“You can ride back with Roman, Agnellino. Benjamin will come with me.”

“I should call someone?—”

I cut him off. “Marcus is still working with Enzo and Carter, last I heard, and Roman needs to make a call to Emilio when we get back, so you will ride with me to save everyone time.”

He grits his teeth and glares, but gives a clipped nod anyway. Good. Maybe hecanlearn quickly, at least with some things.

Ibeat a staccato tempo against my leg with my fingers as I wait in the foyer of the Amato mansion. Keegan hovers behind me, uncomfortable in what he still considers a potential enemy’s den. With the news he has, I can’t blame him for already being on edge.

“Haven’t you ever heard of a phone call? It’s rude to just show up somewhere,” Hollis asks when he enters the room.

There is something about Hollis that makes me want to poke him, to play with the fire I see in his eyes. Considering my skin vibrates with the need for Il Padrone to put me in my place, to give me that stress relief, it shouldn’t surprise me that I’m more tempted by Hollis than the rest.

“I had hoped to speak to Roman in person. We have information to pass on, and I felt it prudent to not have the conversation over the phone.”

Hollis stares at me, as if I’m nothing, and I have to suppress the shiver that wants to run down my spine. “Do you think I would ever let Roman, or anyone in our organization, use phones that are not secure?”

His soft voice belies the danger ahead, and I tilt my head in his direction. I steel myself as I meet his gaze. “No. I believe you excel at your job, and my apologies for doubting that. I meant only that it’s easier to discuss some issues in person. Especially as I believe Keegan is necessary to the discussion.”

I feel like a bug being dissected as Hollis examines me. He must find my apology acceptable as he waves us forward into a sitting room. I wait for him to sit first before taking a spot across from him on a small loveseat. Keegan moves behind me, unwilling to sit next to me. I want to roll my eyes, but don’t dare. This “protect the Boss” thing grates on my nerves. I’m used to doing the protecting, not being protected. Benjamin’s long speech—more accurately, lecture—from earlier, reminds me I can’t throw myself into things like I used to.

“They should be back shortly. What’s this news?”

I briefly hesitate, wondering if I should wait for my counterpart. Then again, if I’m going to listen to Benjamin’s advice about not pissing off our allies, and committing to making nice with Hollis, I may as well go ahead. He can always summarize for Roman if needed.

“Jenna—our lawyer—looked into the court system. Prosecutors, judges, hell, even criminal defense lawyers who take our cases to protect any men who do manage to get picked up. It’s…bad. Her discreet questioning found that the cops aren’t the only ones out for our blood.”

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