“What? Sharktube?”
“Mmhmm.”
“The algorithm found me.” A quiet laugh escapes her. “I don’t even know, honestly. One day, it popped up in my recommendations, and I was curious, so I watched a video. I didn’t even think I liked sharks. Not that I hated them or anything, but they get a bad rep. Anyway, I thought it was really interesting, and before I knew it, I was kind of obsessed.”
“I know the feeling.”
She nods, probably assuming I’m talking about sharks too, since that’s how I fake-met her.
“These ones are sad.” Her voice wavers slightly. “The rescue cases always are. I’m really sensitive when it comes to animals,and I have to be careful about what I watch or read. It makes me angry when I see how much suffering humans create. But it also restores my faith a little, too, because there are people like this out there, making the world a better place.”
Her emotion tugs at something inside me. Gabi experiences the world in a way unlike anyone I’ve ever known. I’ve seen her cry over TV commercials, true crime stories, and the pain anyone close to her carries. She feels things so deeply, it makes my chest ache.
It’s another reminder of how different we are. I’m wrong for her in all the ways that matter, except for one.
Nobody will ever protect her the way I do.
When the video ends, and she rolls over, using me as her body pillow, I tell myself it has to be enough.
For tonight.
For tomorrow.
For however long it takes until this blows up.
That thought plays through my mind as I lie there for hours in the stillness, watching her sleep. Then my phone vibrates in my pocket, bringing me back to reality.
When I see the message from Angelo, I carefully extricate myself from Gabi and grab my boots, heading out into the living room as I call him.
“What is it?” I grunt when he answers the phone.
“I need you down at the docks. Someone took out four of our men tonight.”
“A rival?” I question.
“I don’t think so.” Angelo sighs. “Pepe said it was some kind of back-alley assassin. He came in way too hot and started spraying bullets. They’re holding him for us so you can see what you’ll get out of him.”
“I’m on my way.” I put on my boots and head into my temporary room, changing the mask for my helmet.
“Meet us at the marina, and we’ll all go together,” Angelo says.
“I’ll see you at the docks.” I strap up and head for the elevator.
“Romeo—”
I disconnect the call and hit ignore when Angelo tries to call me back. It will be a fight for later.
For now, I need to figure out who’s fucking with us.
22
ROMEO
[ENTRY 008] — SYSTEM FAILURE
> Containment Protocol: unstable.
> Risk Assessment: catastrophic.
