Page 120 of Tristano

“Fuck that. I’m a cop on the right side of shit. I make sure that my people are protected at all costs. If that means working with the Mafia, then fuck yes, I’m in. If that makes me corrupt, then so be it. I made a vow when I took this badge to protect the people of this city. That is my main priority.”

“You also vowed to uphold the law.”

“Have you ever noticed that we say that second? That’s because the safety of the people outweighs the laws that might need to be broken to ensure that. At least in my book. I’m not a dirty cop, but I’m not against using the resources at my disposal. As long as your new Mafia friends don’t come at me to get me to murder someone, we’re good.”

“We will only ever ask you to do things within your morals,” Tris confirms.

“When did you two become friends?” I step back from Ricky into Tris’s arms.

“When a madman abducted you and decided he was going to kill you,” Ricky informs me.

“He’s not so bad for being a cop.” Tris shrugs.

“You fell in love with a cop,” Ricky tells him.

He grunts. “Yeah. She’s alright.”

I push at his shoulder.

“Take her home,” Ricky tells Tris. “I’ll handle all of this. Your men can go too. It’s best you aren’t seen in this city for a few weeks.”

“What about Nigel and Meredith?” I whisper.

“Nigel…” Ricky looks at Tris. “Disappeared as far as I’m concerned. Meredith is with a paramedic friend of mine. She’s agreed to stay with me for a while so she can heal. I’m going to get her therapy too.”

I smile at him. “I’ll send you my lady’s number. She’s great.”

“I’d like that. You two get going.” Ricky walks away, heading toward Bash.

“Let’s get you home and showered,” Tris murmurs against my ear.

Home. That sounds amazing.

* * *

I can’t helpbut lie here and watch her sleep. It’s like my body cannot accept that she really is here and safe.

When we got home, she showered while I took care of the bloody clothes. I had one of the foot soldiers come get my car to detail it. After tonight, there will be no proof that Serena was ever in that house.

I have no idea what Ricky is planning to do, but Ben was the chief of police. There is no way he is going missing without some flags being raised. I’m interested to see how that plays out.

Dear old Nigel is booked for a month-long stay at Casa de Lorenzo.

On the way home, Serena told me everything she found out. The man is long overdue for a nice long stay with Lo. He will come out the other side looking like a completely different man. Well, if you put the pieces back together, I’m sure he’d look different.

Part of me wants to be there with them. Get my own licks in on the man who helped terrorize my woman. The other part can’t imagine not being by her side. I’m not sure I’ll be able to leave her sight anytime soon.

“Tris?” Serena mumbles, turning over in my arms to face me.

“Shh. Go back to sleep.”

“It’s hard when I can feel you staring at me. What’s wrong?” I can see her eyes open in the light shining through the window.

“I think I just need to lie here with you and listen to you breathe. I thought I lost you tonight. I couldn’t bear the thought.”

“I realized I hadn’t texted you when he admitted he was behind all of it. I felt so stupid. I swear to you, Tris. I won’t forget again. That was scarier than anything else I’ve ever been through. I trusted him.”

“Shhh. You need to rest, not rehash this.”

---