“Holy fuck, Tori. You’re like a gun prodigy.” Gio gapes at me as the targets I had been shooting come forward on the tracks.
“Yeah, I don’t know, but I really like the feeling of the gun in my hand. Don’t get me wrong, it was scary as fuck the first couple of times, but knowing all the shit you showed me first helped, and it was just a matter of getting used to the sound and the way the gun kicks when I fire it. Now it just feels familiar and comforting. I can’t wait to get over to the other side and run through the course.”
He looks at me shrewdly. “How are you going to feel, though, when you’re aiming it at a real person and it’s their life or yours? Or what if you have to kill someone and they are begging you to spare their life?”
My heart pounds with the thought, but I know deep down that I wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. I don’t know if I want to admit it out loud just yet. I don’t want Gio to look at me any differently than he already does. Not to mention I feel guilty that I seem so bloodthirsty and a little shocked that I would be okay with ending someone’s life.
“Before I answer, can you answer a question for me first?” I hedge, and he nods.
“Haveyoukilled someone?” That cold look that has been his constant companion for the last twelve months appears in his eyes, and I’m assuming I now know the reason for it.
“Yes.” He doesn’t elaborate or give excuses. “I did what I had to do.”
“And so will I,” I state, and I’m pretty sure my expression matches his. Both of us have been broken, and both of us are making the most of the present. The important part is that we have each other’s back entirely now that I’ve been brought into the loop.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say you know how to handle a gun, but make sure you practice often. You have access to the range, so make use of it when Dad doesn’t have you doing other things. Let’s head upstairs so you can see the rest of the complex. It’s pretty fucking impressive.”
I hesitate, not wanting to leave all the weapons, but Gio waves his hand. “Tony will still be around. I’ll get him to clean all this up. Oh, except this one.” He grabs the Glock 9mm and passes it to me. “You seem to like this one the most. We’ll get you a holster, but from now on, you don’t go anywhere without it. I would suggest having a spare in your car and another in your bedside table just in case.” My eyes almost pop out of my head, and he shrugs. “That’s the reality of life going forward, sis. We have enemies, and they don’t like to play nice.”
Swallowing, I take the gun from him. “Are you carrying?” He turns and lifts the back of his shirt. Tucked into his jeans is a pistol in a holster that’s attached to his belt. I can’t believe I’ve never noticed before, or maybe he doesn’t wear it at home. That would make more sense. He turns back around.
“It’s much easier when I’m wearing a suit because I can wear a holster underneath the jacket. It’s fucking uncomfortable sitting in the car with that thing in my pants. Speaking of, you are going to need a whole new wardrobe.”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I look down at the ripped jeans and T-shirt I had put on for the first day of school. Shit, was that only this morning? So much has happened since then. I desperately want to look at my social media to know what people are saying, but I never want to see that video again. Which reminds me, I need to search my room for a hidden camera, or maybe it doesn’t matter because we’re moving anyway.
“Nothing if you’re an average teenager, but you’re not anymore, Tori. Sure, when I’m hanging with my friends from school or when I’m going to be going to classes I can dress normally, but when I’m dealing with family business, I dress befitting my status. I have a wardrobe full of designer suits here,” he tells me as we approach the elevator to go back upstairs. “You’re going to need the same. Dad will probably get Penelope to take you shopping.”
I shudder at the thought as we step into the elevator, and he presses in the number sequence. “Fuck, I think I’d rather shoot myself in the foot.” I wave my gun around, and he ducks before pushing my hand down.
“Fucking hell, Tori, that’s still loaded,” he growls, and I gulp, lowering my hand.
“Sorry?”
He shakes his head, and the elevator stops moving, opening up to a large, glamorous foyer. “Just shove it into your waistband for now so you don’t accidentally shoot me or yourself. You’re good with the gun, but it’s not second nature yet.”
I gingerly shove it into the waistband of my jeans near my lower back and follow him out, looking around with amazement. “Holy shit.” I hear the awe in my voice echo through the marble floored entryway.
“Yeah, it’s a real riot. This place has a ballroom, indoor theater, game room, formal dining room, indoor and outdoor pools, conference rooms, not to mention a couple of secret rooms, and like twenty bedrooms and just as many bathrooms.”
“Wow, why so many?” I gape as he leads me through the house.
“When the house was built three generations ago, many of the trusted family members would live together. Now, not so much. It will just be you, me, Dad, Penelope, and Sage. Mickey and Carla have a room here that they use, but Carla mostly stays in the city because that’s where her job is.”
I love Aunt Carla. She’s that fun aunt who is always there when you need her. She was the one I turned to when I got my period or needed help with my homework or was having a fight with one of my friends, not Penelope.
We get to a door, and Gio knocks and waits.
“Enter,” my dad calls, and we step into a large room that is obviously his office. There’s a big wooden desk in the middle of the room with chairs facing it on the other side—Mickey is sprawled in one. Dad has a laptop on the desk, and behind him are shelves filled with books. It looks so much like his office at home I’m a little stunned. It also smells of cigars and paper. “Ah, there you both are. How did shooting go?” He raises an eyebrow and waves us to the two extra chairs.
“I think we should change Tori’s name to G.I. Jane. That girl was able to hit everything, including the moving targets,” he grumbles, but there’s a look of pride in his eyes.
Dad and Mickey beam at me. “Bellissima. This is excellent to hear. It sounds like we have all had excellent days. I have arranged for the staff to move back in full time. The staff quarters have been aired out and are ready for them.”
“Staff?” I ask, a little confused.
“Yes, my princess. There’s a butler, cook, and a couple of housekeeping staff. The butler and cook are married and have been with us for years, and both girls who are going to be doing the housekeeping are from within the family. They know the importance of discretion and have each signed an NDA. They will alternate days because both are at college. If it is too much for just the two of them, I will hire a couple more. It is good for them to earn a little money while they are studying, no?”
Dad looks down at some notes on his desk. “Ah, yes, tomorrow you and Penelope will go into the city to outfit you for your new station. I will send one of the boys with you as an escort. Then I thought maybe we could meet you for dinner, and I could show you our hotel and casino for the first time. We will stay the night in the city to allow the movers to pack up the house, and by the time we return, we will be moved in here.”
