Page 13 of Hostile Devil
My breath catches. “You’re leaving Sicily?”
“Yeah. Me, Sin, and Mat are boarding a jet in the morning. My brother is missing and you’re all alone. There’s no way I’d stay out here. People are going to die for this.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. I’d forgotten how much I miss my honorary brothers. “Is Letterman coming too?”
“Not this time. He's going to keep everything ticking over here while we’re gone. I expect to see you when I land. Text me the address and I’ll come straight to you.”
“There isn’t an address.”
“Bullshit, Indy.”
“Okaaaay,” I stretch the word out, panicked. “I’ll come to you… if you promise to bring me with you when you get a lead on Gio. I want to help…I have to.”
André laughs. “No. Fucking. Way.”
“This is my fault… I should have stayed behind to help him. I should’ve done more.”
“No, India. This is all Blanco. That fucker thinks he has the balls to mess with us. You called me and that's the best thing you could have done. I know Gio and bet he’s one step ahead of everyone.”
“Is that Yanni?” Leo takes my free hand and drops something featherlight onto the palm. “Let me speak to him.”
“Who the hell is that?” André barks.
“Eh… it's the TV… I have to go. Have a safe flight. I love you so much, Dré!” I hang up, lower to my haunches, and brush a wayward curl out of Leo’s big brown eyes. “That was André. He’s checking up on me.” I roll my eyes dramatically. “He thinks I can’t look after myself. But I’ve got you, right?” I look into my cupped hand. “Who else leaves me four marshmallow pieces?”
He frowns. “Does André not share his mallows?”
I shake my head, thinking about all the gifts André had given me over the years. The most important one being his attention when other females had tried and failed—until Sinéad, that is.
I’m not jealous of their beautiful connection. He deserved to find a woman who could match his spirit. And Sinéad was able to achieve the unbelievable. She’d claimed his whole heart and he let her have it.
My heart sinks when I remember what André had said to me, how Giovanni pushes aside his emotions and puts work first. I start to wonder if he’s reverted back to the life of a cartel hitman and doesn't need a woman to anchor him.
“Dré shares loads with me,” I reply honestly. “He’s extravagantly generous and a lot of fun. Hopefully, you’ll meet him one day.”
Leo shrugs. “When is Yanni coming home?”
“Soon.” I force a sunny smile and clear my throat. “Does he go away a lot?”
Soft curls bounce when he nods. “He always sends messages. But not this time.”
“Would you like me to read you a story tonight instead of Lola?”
Leo grins at that, and then a big yawn takes a hold of him. “I can read you a story too. I’ll look after you while Yanni is working.Souza swear.”
My heart explodes when he does a playful salute gesture and then slots his tiny hand in mine.
We’re so alike, this little boy and me. Both of us were lost in the world and claimed by a beautiful monster.
“And I promise to look after you too, little guy. No matter what happens.” I stare into his chocolate rich eyes and feel my stomach ache.
A ripple of anxiety moves through me. Something isn’t right. Giovanni wouldn’t leave his son behind…or me.
7
INDIA
I blink my eyes open to an electronic beep. Disoriented, I sit upright, clutch the blanket to my chest, and gaze into the shadowy corners. Not seeing any movement, I look down and notice a compact satellite phone with a short antenna sitting on the coffee table.
