Page 46 of Tristano

“Please. I told you everything I know.”

“I know you did, but it doesn’t matter. You caused her pain and torment that she will never get over. I’ll do the same to you.”

He all-out wails as he realizes that it doesn’t matter. This was never about getting information from him. This was only about one thing.

Getting revenge for my girl.

ChapterTen

“What are you doing out here? I thought you went to bed?” Tristano asks, coming to my spot by the window.

I tried to go to sleep when we got back to the hotel room, but I couldn’t. Every time I closed my eyes, all I saw were those girls. They were looking to me like I had all the answers. They wanted my guidance. I didn’t know what to tell them. How can I help them heal when I haven’t even healed myself?

I did the best I could though. By the time Tristano came back to get me, I didn’t even have the energy to ask about the bruises on his knuckles or the fact that he changed clothes and his hair was wet.

Whatever he went to do, I didn’t even want to know.

I just wanted to rest.

Only rest wouldn’t come.

So while Tris went into the second bedroom to call his bosses back home, I found my way here. Curled up in a beanbag chair with a blanket wrapped around me like a cocoon while I stare at the city skyline.

Sinking down next to me, he pulls me toward him. “What’s wrong?”

“They all wanted me to tell them what to do. All I could tell them was that they needed to make the decision for themselves. I feel like I failed them somehow. I feel like I should have had a better answer for them.”

“You can’t tell anyone else how to live their life. That’s not how this works. You did the right thing.”

“I guess. Two are staying here and working under Miya. They didn’t have anywhere else to go. They chose to sell their bodies at the brothel instead of taking a normal job.”

“Are you judging them for that?” he asks.

I shake my head slowly. “No. It hurts my heart. They are so comfortable with that lifestyle that they choose to go back to it when they have other options. Nadia used to sell her underwear online and things of that nature. She did it to get a degree, but instead of using that degree, she chose to willingly give away her body. Why would she do that?”

“Did you ask her?”

I sigh. “I did. She said that it was temporary. She and Miya agreed to it for the time being, but when she’s ready, Miya is going to help get her into an architecture firm here in the city. Nadia said that she felt she needed to take her power back somehow, and something was telling her that this was the way to do it.”

“Then it sounds like she knows what she’s doing. What’s bothering you more? That she made that choice or that she was able to make the choice that easily?”

My heart stutters in my chest at his words.

He’s right. I’m not upset that she will be selling her body. That’s her choice. I’m upset because my decision isn’t as clear-cut.

“I don’t like that you are being so logical right now.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this was just a bitch fest. Let me try again.” He sits up, pushing his hair a little. “Oh my god. I can’t believe that skank chose to do that. What a hussy.”

His attempt at a feminine voice makes me bust out in laughter. He always knows what to say or do to make me smile. I let the lightness fill me until those dark thoughts fade away.

“Thank you,” I whisper, leaning against his side. “Mandy chose to take a job with someone named Callum. He had a job in his main office for an assistant. Miya said he will send her to school so that she can get a degree in whatever field she wants, and then he’s going to get her a job doing it.”

Tris nods. “Callum is a good man. I’m not surprised he stepped up. It’s almost unheard of for so many organizations to be connected so closely, but I know without a doubt that the O’Reilly Westies, Takahashi Yakuza, and the Petrov Bratva have our backs. They will always step up when it comes to doing the right thing.”

“Unless it means killing someone, you mean,” I retort.

“We do kill sometimes, but it’s always justified. It’s a necessary part of this business.”

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