Page 206 of With Us

She nodded. “You do that?”

“Dahlia.”

She looked at me and grinned. “This is why we’re friends.”

“Rosa,” Luc said, his voice a clipped warning.

“They came in asking for Theo. Their whole vibe was off, and when I wouldn’t tell them where you were, they pulled guns.” She pointed to the phone. “That one went off to find you.” She moved her finger to her face. “The other did this. But it was weird.”

“How so?”

“He kept making threats, waving the gun around.” Her hands went to her waist.

Luc shook his head, rubbing his palm down his face. “And?”

“I laughed. I may have also insulted his dick size and his mother’s dick size.”

“Rosa Ricci,” Luc growled. “Dad always said that attitude of yours was going to get you in trouble.”

“I’m fine. The man said I was lucky he had strict orders not to hurt me.”

“What? From who?” Theo asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. It just seemed… creepy. He was obviously not a good listener because, after a few minutes, he muttered something about how no one would know. Then he punched me until I was dazed. It’s hazy after that until I was suddenly tied and gagged in Luc’s apartment.”

“Did you check it out?” Theo asked Luc.

He shook his head. “She was right in the living room. Let’s go.”

Noticing the blood dripping again, I gently moved the paper towels from Rosa’s face. It was a mistake which I immediately regretted as I grew woozy. “I think she needs stitches. One of the cuts looks… deep.” I gulped in a breath, ignoring my swimming head.

“I’m fine,” Rosa insisted. “I want to find that fucker. Maybe we can call Astaire or Grenade once we do.”

Theo’s eyes darkened. “That’d be letting him off easy.”

“Dale is going to take you to the hospital,” Luc said.

Rosa stood. “But—”

“Or I’m calling Ma.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Fine.”

“I’ll go with you,” I said.

Wrapping his arm around me, Theo whispered, “I don’t think that’s a good place for you, my gattina.”

“I just won’t look.” I tilted my head to look at him. “At least there I can keep her company, and it’ll give you time to search without worrying about me.”

Slowly, he nodded. “Okay. But don’t pass out and hit your head.”

“Deal.” After giving him a quick kiss, I went back into the bathroom to get Rosa some fresh paper towels. When she switched them out, I turned away.

Uh oh. I’m beginning to think this was a mistake.

Theo

Kicking my feet up onto my desk, I answered my cell. “Hello?”

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