RAFFI
As I walk awayfrom Darian and head back up toward Russo's room, I can't help thinking about last night. Again. I've been thinking about it all damn morning.
Does he regret it? Not to mention this morning…
I was trying to read his expression all the time we were together, but he remained as composed and unflappable as ever. Meanwhile, the taste of his spunk in my mouth is replaying like a broken record. Sweet and addictive.
Sweets.
Gah. I can't believe I let that slip out before.
But what if hedidn'tenjoy it? What if I pushed him too far? He sure looked like he was having some regrets after Julian Castellani pranced in and made out like it was all a big joke—and what a fuckin' assholethatguy is.
I'm tired of dancing around my feelings for Darian. But he's vulnerable and gun-shy—literally, too, I've seen him flinch every time I pick up my piece—and I don't want to be a source of pain for him. I have to be careful. Go slow.
Especially after finding out that he saw my flirting asbullying. I hate that. Hate myself for it.
I need to clear my head, especially when I'm about to deal with Donnie fucking Russo. But when I get to AJ's room, I only get angrier.
"I need to speak to Russo," I tell him. "Give me the key to his room."
AJ hands it over and then, only as I reach the door again, adds, "But he's not in there."
I turn to stare at him. He keeps scrolling through his phone. "What the fuck did you say, Bernardi?"
"That's Don Bernardi to you, kid." AJ glances up again, annoyingly casual. "Since Chops Lollo got whacked, I figured it wasn't safe to keep Russo cooped up in there. Didn't want him to be a sitting duck if the Castellanis had any designs on him."
My fists clench at my sides. "So you just…let him go? After you gave your word to keep him locked up?"
He scowls. "I made a call. Russo's my guy, and I wasn't going to leave him vulnerable. Not after what happened to Chops. You got a problem with?—"
"I fucking do, yeah, and so will Don Castellani. So make yourself available for a conversation,Bernardi."
This dishonorable bastard can wait, though. I need to get out of here ASAP and find that fucker Russo. That's my first priority. And once I've wrapped him in goddamn chains and locked him up again, I'll go straight to Sandro to let him know about this.
I run fast to the security room to check the cameras, but Simmy's already spotted him. "I was just on my way, Raf," he says grimly. "Motherfucker's wandering around by the pool."
It's a relief at least that he's not in the house, but the pool isn't much better. I bolt down there. Roxy Rochford is lying in a chair under her massive umbrella, as usual. She's technically a civilian, has taken no vows, so she doesn't attend the talks while she's here—but she's found other ways to entertain herself. She and Andretti were flirting with each other earlier, Simmy told me, but he's not here now. Strange play from Foxy Roxy given that her fiancé's just up in the house, but I guess that's her business.
I stop short as I see Russo wander back into view.
As I watch, he walks up and leans over the lounge chair where Roxy reclines, leering openly at her barely-covered body. She shifts uncomfortably, looking around.
Where the hell is her bodyguard?
"Good morning, Ms. Rochford," I call out as I stride over. Roxy's shoulders sag in relief when she sees me approaching. Russo straightens up fast, the picture of innocence.
But it's too late for him. I saw that look on his face.
"DeLuca! Beautiful day, isn't it?" Russo's gaze darts to Roxy for a split second before focusing on me.
"What the fuck are you doing down here?"
I catch fury in his eyes before he pretends nonchalance. "Boss let me out. Said since we were all locked up together at Redwood, it wasn't one thing or another to let me walk around a bit. Stretch my legs."
"You've got about five seconds to stretch your legs right back to that room, where you'll be kept under guard bymyguys from now on."
Russo pales but holds his ground. The idiot's always had more balls than brains. "Is that a threat?"
