Page 26 of Made in Love and Blood

Nico’s gaze slammed into Salvatore. “Sorry, uh, Larkin is where, boss?”

Shit.

He checked his watch, knowing exactly why Larkin hadn’t shown up the moment he saw the time had gone past ten. The head of security knew his job. How long had he and Frankie been at this now?

“What the fuck do you mean she’s been at it again? And a guest? Who in the hell is staying at my home without asking me?”

Too many things happened, then.

Frankie bolted up from the chair, gripping Sassy for dear life. The impassive stare she took on made Salvatore think any progress he won in this war with her might be ruined just as he gained ground.

Nico pulled a face like something smelled as he peered over his shoulder and mumbled, “Well, if that isn’t the sister I wish I didn’t fucking have every day that I live.”

The phone on the desk rang. Salvatore might have swore. Again.

He nodded at Nico, saying, “And this is why I wanted you at eight, got it?”

Nico turned back around fully. “My bad. Uh—”

“We’re gonna go over, in detail, what those three things I specified to you actually mean when I break it down, okay?”

“Yep.”

Sal realized a few things in that moment.

He might be in trouble here. Definitely.

How ironic could it be that the problem which now kept him close to New York, would allow him the same thing his daughter desperately needed? Also, he and Larkin needed to talk. For a few reasons.

Why was his life so fucked?

Carina started shrieking again.

Sal wished he were a better man. “I’ll deal with her, I promise,” he told Frankie. “And I’m going to be here for everything and anything until you don’t need me to be from this moment forward. Do you hear me?”

“What about California?”

“I promise, from now until you don’t need me. I’m yours.”

“I’m tired of hearing promises that you don’t keep.”

His daughter’s emotionless shell didn’t blink a lash.

Something banged downstairs.

Frankie shrugged. “It could be worse. I could be like her—starving myself six months out of the year and hating myself the rest of the time. At least I know people want me to exist.”

With that, she left the room and knocked shoulders with Nico on the way. Nico only cleared his throat, but his lips formed the word damn.

“Sorry,” Nico said again as his brow knotted like he’d realized something. “I know that thing you’re gonna want to go over the most is probably respect, right?”

“It’s good that you ask a lot of questions because only idiots don’t,” Salvatore replied.

“I’m trying.”

“Try harder.”

“Just so you know, in some ways, between you and me—”