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“Why are you taking everything so well?” My knees give out and I’m left staring at him, my breathing becoming shorter and raspier. “Why don’t you look at me with disgust in your eyes? Don’t you know what all this means?” I spread my arms to encompass the entire cabin.
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“I’m sick, Sansone! I’m not fit to be around good people for extended periods. I’ll taint them. Ruin them.” I hug myself tight, but still can’t get enough air to breathe properly.
“How did you destroy Max?” His question stops my mini-panic attack.
“What?”
He repeats the question. “You’ve known her since you were a kid. Surely she would be the worst of the lot. So tell me, what did you do to Max?”
“Nothing. She’s fine.”
“Exactly. And Jinx and I will be fine.”
“But I avoided Max to ensure she would be okay.”
“And how did avoiding her work out for you?”
“Not so good.” I acknowledge the truth, recalling all the ways she forced herself into my life.
“Jinx and I will be worse than Max. We’re your family, and we aren’t going anywhere.” Sansone takes my elbows and helpsto lift me from the floor. “And we need to clean up and be home in time for when she wakes up.”
“Right.” I now follow Sansone’s lead.
As he helps me wash the blood from my skin, it feels like a purification. Like all the men, starting with the one who murdered my father, no longer leave a lifelong stain on my soul, damning me to hell. I remain silent while he cleanses me, trying not to break down again.
When our skin no longer carries any sign of blood, Sansone pieces my chin and forces me to meet his eyes. “Tomorrow we’ll discuss the terms of your punishment.”
I glance at Sansone’s sleeping form under the sheets, unable to find the same peace he has. Too many thoughts keep me awake. Funny enough, none of them have to do with Sansone discovering the second life I lead. The way my chest warms as I relive his acceptance and even his anger on my behalf is proof enough I’m in love with Sansone DeLuca.
There is no fight in me left to deny why it’s so hard to stay away. I can’t even tell when I started using Jinx as a reason to stay around to be with him. Yes, Jinx is reason enough, but she wasn’t my only reason once Sansone started tearing down my walls.
And now, I still have the problem of Dusan hanging above my head.
I creep out of bed and find my phone before going downstairs. I have an unread message.
Tech Bro: The Puerto Rico connection was a misdirect. I found a link with the person looking for you and the one causing Sansone problems.
Me: I’m pretty sure it’s Dusan.
Tech Bro: That makes sense. I found a link in Greece where Dusan’s company has its headquarters.
Me: You said he has an export company. Can you look into a group called the Association? The ones who held Antari mentioned them. There might be a link.
Tech Bro: Funny you should mention them. I went down a rabbit hole that led me to them. If he’s part of the Association, get a new identity. Better yet, leave the country. Some of their people do things that put your brand of justice to shame.
He sends me the gruesome photos he came across. All of them link the Association in various cities across the country and internationally.
Me: I can’t. Sansone followed me. He knows and insists on protecting me.
Tech Bro: That explains why my cleanup crew found nothing at the motel after you left. He must have taken care of it.
This is news to me but very on-brand for Sansone. The man will protect me from the shadows with or without my input. The grin on my face when I should concentrate on the threat ahead is additional proof I’m gone for Sansone.
Tech Bro: If this is how you want to play it, we have to be preemptive. I’ll follow the money and confirm if Dusan runs the Association and look for a digital way to help take them down.
Me: I need to know if Dusan participated in his son’s business.
