Page 28 of Tristano

She seems to think this is a good thing, and it might be, but what if the guys rescue us only to force us into something worse? I want to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

“Besides the fact they were handsome?” She tilts her head. “I think the one was Yakuza.” Her eyes widen. “You know, like the Mafia. Jada knew him well, which I know she used to have a cushy job at The Currency at one point. The other two though, I’m not sure. One had a slight accent. Almost sounded Irish or British. The hottest one wasn’t from here. He had more of a New York accent.” She shakes her head. “None of them looked twice at any of us though. They know they are way above our league. A pity, really. I’d quit the trade for a man like that.”

Shutting my eyes, I choke back a sob as she continues to drone on about the men.

It can’t be, can it? It’s not. My mind is playing games on me. There is no way that he’s found me, not now and after all this time. It’s some other guy with a New York accent. It has to be.

I can’t let myself hope that he found his way to Chicago for me. I’ll break when it eventually comes to light that it’s not him.

“Are you okay?” Olivia whispers.

“I’m fine.” I smile weakly.

“Maybe the men will find us,” she says under her breath so the others don’t hear her.

She looks so hopeful that I can’t bear to crush it, so I force a smile. “I guess we will find out, huh?”

* * *

“How long have you lived here?”I ask as I look around Declan’s place.

“Eh, right after I moved back here from my time with you guys.”

“It’s…homey.” I fight back my laughter.

The place is bare. Nothing on the walls. A futon couch is pushed up against the wall without even a TV in the living room. The kitchen is open-concept but has nothing on the counters, not even a toaster. It looks like he just moved in. If what he is saying is true, he’s been here at least two years.

“Yeah, yeah…” he groans. “In my defense, I’m only here to sleep.”

I raise my hands. “I’m not judging.”

Declan raises his brow as he walks toward me. “I’ve seen your place. I know you’re judging.”

Declan stayed with me when he shadowed Greer in New York. They wanted to keep an eye on him since he was coming from a faction that wasn’t too happy with Killian’s rule. Turned out, the kid was loyal to his true leader, which is why he’s now second in command.

“There is nothing wrong with my place,” I argue.

“Got it,” he says as he grabs his phone from his nightstand before turning to me. “You have enough pillows and blankets to bed a third-world country. What man has throw pillows when he doesn’t even have a woman living with him?”

A man who hopes one day he will have a woman living with him maybe? Or maybe I just like nice things. I never had that growing up. I don’t admit any of that to him though.

“We need to make another stop before we head to work,” I demand.

“Why? What do you need now?” He sighs as if I’m exhausting.

In his defense, most of the people in my life act that way around me. Like I’m a puppy that never stops. I can’t help it though. It’s just who I am. I blame my mom for abandoning me at my nonna’s at such a young age. I didn’t get the right attachments.

I point to his bed. “Dude, you have a pillow and a sheet. That’s it. I can’t in good conscience go back to New York until I know you have proper bedding.”

Declan rolls his eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But you love me,” I say as we walk out of the door. “This is a nice building.”

“Yeah, it’s not bad. Owned by the family.”

The door across the hall opens and a woman walks out, but pauses when she sees us.

“Declan,” she says coolly, with a slight accent.

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