Page 10 of Catching His Runaway

While Santino was busy stepping into Leon’s shoes, Urzo and Lazaro were the two brothers she spent more time with. While Lazaro was a grease monkey from the core of his being, Urzo had to spend the most time with her when she wasn’t trying to hang out in the garage and get a little dirty herself.

I can recall all the times both brothers had given me dirty looks every time I let her get mixed with trouble. Well, I’m confident to say Urzo won’t have to worry about anything happening now.

Searching for my patience, I shove my hands in my pockets and approach.

He hugs her back, noticing all the changes in her appearance, and she does likewise.

Her brows come together as she reaches up and lightly touches his scar carved into his lips and cheek. “What happened?”

Urzo’s mouth curves, giving her a small smile. “A bastard tried to slit my throat. Thanks to his terrible aim, he made me prettier.”

Eliza elbows him hard enough to make him grunt. His wife scoffs and shakes her head. “I think it makes him look badass.”

Even to this day, it still bewilders me every time I see his stone-cold eyes melt because of the woman. One little compliment, and he’s putty in her hands.

She shifts the helmet to her hip and offers her hand. “Eliza. Don’t worry, I’m keeping him out of trouble.”

Valeria shakes her hand, hardly failing to keep the surprise off of her face. She’s terrible at keeping her thoughts off her face.

“They weren’t yanking my chain about you all being married.” She shakes her head and catches me off guard when a smile forms on her lips. “I never thought you’d find women who’d be able to put up with you guys.”

As Urzo slides an arm around Eliza and is happy to tell her all about their meeting, I stare at Valeria. Her mouth in particular.

She doesn’t deserve to smile. I can’t tell if I want to give her a reason to make it disappear, or figure out what it’ll take to make it stick. Just because it’s not fair doesn’t mean it looks bad.

I hate that it looks good. She’s always had the kind of smile that would help lighten the room.

Before, I didn’t feel anything but one emotion. Now, I’ve got strange and unfamiliar sensations rolling around in my chest, old sensations rolling in one at a time.

Seeing as she’s completely forgotten about my presence as she talks like the last seven years never happened, I have plenty of time to dissect what is happening and crush it down before it affects my line of thinking.

Valeria’s already slipped past me once by getting under my skin. I’m not going to let it happen again.

“I haven’t seen Lazaro yet,” Valeria murmurs, “passed by his room hoping to see him.”

If she’d asked me, I might’ve told her why the youngest brother wasn’t around. All I’m good for is updating her on the building, I suppose.

“He’s not here,” Urzo reveals instead, shaking his head. “Hasn’t been in years. Got married, and has a kid on the way.”

“He… got out?” She shakes her head. “Like,outout?”

He snorts and shakes his head. “You know Santino. No one is everout. But he isn’t throwing himself in the line of fire anymore, if that’s what you’re asking. No, he fixes our vehicles when they need maintenance.”

Something passes over her face, something I can’t place. Like my eyes are playing tricks on me, her smile is back on her lips. “You guys have kids too?”

Eliza snorts as she shakes her head. “I think one devil child is plenty. Alle’s a sweet girl, but she has energy to burn for days.”

Valeria’s smile grows soft. Without saying it, I’m going to guess she’s pictured having kids herself. I guess in the time she’s been away, she’s never settled down and had a few.

Deep down, the concept is hard to believe. Seeing how she looks now… I don’t think it makes much sense.

Catching myself before I wonder why, I squash that down immediately. Telling myself that it’s her personality that’s scared away every man in her life, I catch Urzo glancing my way.

“I’m assuming Santino wanted you to keep an eye on her. Out of all the people he could’ve picked.” Despite not smiling often, he picks the perfect time to look amused by the situation. “I can’t tell if this is meant to be a punishment or not, and for whom.”

Squinting, I cross my arms across my chest. Before I can speak, Valeria swats her hand, and her fingers brush my chest.

“This is our brother getting back at me, that’s all. Maybe you can convince him to babysit me instead.”

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