Page 46 of Chasing Kit

Dad nodded to one of his men, who passed Riccardo a briefcase. Riccardo slammed it onto the desk and flipped the latches before yanking it open. He grinned as stacks of cash came into view.

He waved his hand in a circle. “Good. You can take your son home. We’ll handle Francesca.”

“What do you mean, handle?” War grasped my hips and moved me out of the way so he could step forward. “Was she the one who sent someone to kill Kit?”

“According to Arrigo, yes. My cousin was very annoyed.” Riccardo tsked. “But he’s always hated her. We’ll investigate and report back to you. The last thing any of us need is pissed-off Covolos.”

“What about Sky?” I asked.

Riccardo regarded me carefully. “Maybe ask your father.”

I spun toward Dad, who sighed. “Sky’s no longer my problem. I’ve fixed too many of his mistakes. I offered him a ride home, where he’s obviously welcome, but he refused, so now he can deal with his own issues.”

“He’s twenty,” I argued. “He’s stupid, Dad. He doesn’t know what he’s getting involved in. Drag him home.”

Dad’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Wasn’t it you who told me to let him live his life?”

“I didn’t know this was what he was involved in. Bring him back to New Gothenburg.”

“No.” Dad shook his head. “My protection of Sky has ended. He’s made his choice.”

Frustration bubbled in my chest, and I clenched my teeth, digging my fingernails into my palms until the skin burned. “Let me talk to him. I’ll go to the apartment right now. If I can’t convince him to come home, then let me say goodbye. I deserve that much.”

War tensed beside me, touching my elbow, and I leaned closer to him.

A tic started in Dad’s jaw, and he exhaled, nostrils flaring. His irritation wasn’t new, but it was the first time in a long time that it was directed at me. The good son was getting on his nerves. Fine. Maybe I was tired of being perfect. Maybe I wanted to take care of myself now, especially after all the lies.

“You have two hours. That’s it. If you’re not back by then, I will send out a fucking army looking for you. Am I clear?”

I nodded.

“And take War with you.” His eyes narrowed on War. “If you want permission to date Kit, you’ll bring him back in one piece.”

“He doesn’t need your permission,” I snapped, earning a surprised look from Dad. He definitely wasn’t used to me talking back, but he should’ve expected it. After all the years he lied to me, I was allowed to be angry. “I’ll be back in two hours. Let’s go, War.” I slid my hand into his and stalked out of the office, ignoring a whistle from one of the Sabbatinis—I wasn’t sure which one.

War didn’t speak until we were outside the house again. He was too quiet, and I hated that Dad had made him feel small. I understood War’s need to respect authority. I could only imagine the training he’d acquired in the navy. But he needed to break out of that habit if he wanted to keep me. Dad wasn’t the government. He was a criminal.

The doors opened behind us, and we spun, ready for another fight, but it was Massimo who swept out. He stopped in front of us and threw a set of keys at War, who caught them with ease.

“Take my Porsche. It’ll be better than waiting for an Uber.” He smirked, his cold blue eyes bright and amused. He nodded toward a red sports car that made my heart skip a beat. Damn, she was pretty. A lot prettier than Dad’s Bentley.

“Why?” War asked suspiciously, stepping in front of me again. He took his protective boyfriend role seriously, and though my stomach fluttered, I kept it to myself.

Massimo cocked one eyebrow—not two like an amateur, but one, like the arrogant motherfucker he apparently was. “Because unlike my brothers, I knew about Sky, and I like the kid. He’s quicker than a rattlesnake caught in a trap and just as smart. If Francesca knows about him and Arrigo, he’s in trouble. Ric’s priorities aren’t Sky’s safety, but our deal with the Covolos. So, if I were you, I’d convince Sky to leave while he still has legs to walk away on.”

Fear threaded through me, spiking my blood pressure and throbbing in my head. I swallowed around razorblades, my gaze shooting to War for reassurance. But he was stony-faced, grim determination set on his features. He was a man who’d spent years in the service of a criminal. He knew what people in this world were capable of, and now my brother was in danger.

Sky could be stupid at times, living life like a game, but he was still the little kid who’d come to sleep in my bed when a storm raged outside. He was still the four-year-old who punched a child twice his size for bullying me on the playground. He was still the five-year-old who gripped my hand tightly as we watched Mom pack and leave us. And he was still the fifteen-year-old who made a teacher apologize for wrongfully giving me a D+ grade. He was Skyler, my intelligent, fun-loving little brother, and I’d die before I let anything happen to him.

War grasped my elbow and pulled me toward the Porsche. He didn’t hesitate to open the passenger door and usher me inside. He wasn’t rough, but his urgency was palpable and appreciated. Once he slid into the driver’s seat, he hit the ignition, and the car rumbled to life. The engine’s roar vibrated to my bones, and my fingers tingled. I’d never been in a vehicle like this, especially not a sports car. I wasn’t sure how Dad would feel if he saw me in the Porsche, but he had no say, especially after choosing to leave Sky behind.

“Do you think she’ll actually kill Sky?” I asked, anxiety thick in my voice.

“I wish I could say no.” His fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he pulled the car out of the driveway and onto a road lined with large, upscale mansions. The street was excessively ornate. Early fall had begun to color the trees and leaves already littered the sidewalks.

War sighed. “But I can’t. The Covolos are dangerous people, and I’ve already mentioned Francesca. She is violent and cruel, and she doesn’t tolerate being made a fool of.”

“Is that what Sky did?” I whispered.