Rocco looks at me with one of those looks demanding answers, and I just shake my head, letting him know not now. He raises an eyebrow and sinks onto the coffee table in front of Katherine. Ryder jogs back into the room and places the first aid kitinto Rocco’s outstretched hand. “I’m going to clean this wound,” he says softly, waiting for Katherine’s nod before he reaches for her head.
Rocco gently cleans her eyebrow, apologizing when she hisses at the sting from the antiseptic. He places a little band-aid over the top with such softness that it’s surprising for a guy his size. He’s about the same size as Ryder but hides it under fancy suits, which he isn’t wearing right now. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen Rocco in jeans and a polo shirt.
Katherine smiles softly. “Thank you”
“No thanks needed,” Rocco says, smiling just as softly. “Is everyone else okay?” We all nod, and he leans back from Katherine. “Someone going to explain what the hell happened?” he asks, and for a split second, I’m taken back to my childhood when Ryder, Gage, and I would get into trouble, and he would ask that same question.
I nod my head toward the other room, and he gets up from the coffee table, understanding I don’t want to talk in front of Katherine. I get up, and Gage takes my place, trying to comfort her. She stopped crying but is staring into space, lost in her mind.
Ryder and I follow Rocco to his office in the back of the house; he waves his hand in front of his desk for us to sit down. Ryder and I look at each other, grinning. We’ve been here before, also after getting into trouble.
“What happened?” he asks, folding himself into his office chair, steepling his fingers under his chin with his elbows on the desk.
I fight back a giggle. “Viktor Orlov.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “The Russian, Viktor Orlov?”
“One in the same,” Ryder answers, sitting back in the chair.
Rocco levels a look at Ryder. “Why wasn’t I aware there were any issues with Viktor?”
Ryder frowns. “I told you to be careful that we had problems. You didn’t need to know more.”
Rocco narrows his eyes on his son, and I want to hide under the desk. “What does that mean?”
“It means you wanted out,” Ryder says hotly. Once you’re out, you’re either dead or thrown out of the loop. Rocco is aware of that, but Ryder is still his son, and he worries.
Rocco folds his arms on the desk, leaning forward. “You watch your tone, boy,” Rocco warns, and I have to fight a snort when Ryder sits back in the chair chastised. Rocco turns his eyes on me, and I try not to shrink back in my chair. “What about you,Bellissima? Do you have anything to add?”
My first instinct is to tell him nothing because Ryder is right. He wanted out, which means he isn’t privy to any of this information, but he’s the guy who ruled by my dad’s side for as long as I can remember. “Viktor stepped on my trade, tried to take over the Vipers, shot at our limo leaving the gala on Saturday, and now this.”
He levels his look back at Ryder. “You didn’t think it was important to tell me you got fucking shot at?” he asks between clenched teeth.
Ryder gives him a dry look. “It was just a random Saturday for us, Dad,” he replies, and he’s right. We get shot at all the time, and I’m sure he doesn’t tell his dad every time.
“You shouldn’t have kept this from me,” Rocco says.
“With all due respect, Rocco,” I say in Ryder’s defense. “This doesn’t concern you anymore,” I say softly. I don’t want to disrespect him, but he still needs to remember who he’s talking to.
Rocco chuckles and sits back in his chair. “I was wondering when that Poletti backbone would come out.” He waves his hand toward the sitting room. “I would assume I’m now involved, though.”
“Absolutely not,” Ryder explodes. “We just needed a place to get them to, and then we’re gone.”
“He’s right,” I say, disagreeing with Ryder with a wince. “He’s involved because I guarantee Viktor knew where they were going.”
“He can’t be involved! He doesn’t even have full guards anymore,” Ryder argues, and I’m already shaking my head. “Il mio sole…”
“Enough,” I bark. I won’t have this argument with his dad sitting there. Ryder’s mouth snaps shut, and I can see that muscle in his jaw ticking. “He’s involved.” I turn back to Rocco, and he’s hiding a smile with his hand. “Leo’s mom can’t go home now. Not since she was clocked with them today, but she can’t stay with us.”
“You want me to babysit one of your boyfriends’ moms?” Roccolaughs, then sighs when he realizes I’m serious. “Do you trust him?” he asks.
“Leo can be trusted,” Ryder grits out, and I jerk my head his way. “I would assume his mom can too.”
“Does Leo or his mother know about this plan?”
“Not yet,” I sigh. I don’t know how either of them is going to take this. In the back of my mind, I’m hoping I can talk Leo into staying here with her so I don’t have to worry when he’s going to get shot again.
Rocco nods. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
