That seemed to take her aback, all her fight fleeing in an instant. She gazed out the window listlessly. “What does that mean for someone like me? For Lou? For Boyan?”
There wasn’t a fixed answer to that. It all depended on how she lived through the next few years, but I could change that. I’d been looking for a purpose since the void left by Persetta’sreappearance opened up. I needed someone new to care for, and this kid fit the bill. Defiant, shrewd, and full of rage—she was the perfect challenge to keep me busy.
“Go get your brother, and I’ll drive you to pick up your sister.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Her eyes jumped between mine, scrunched with confusion. She started for the door, then turned back.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why are you helping me?”
Her gaze darted over to Ricco, compressed in the back seat, then back to me.
“Do I need a reason?”
“After I barbecued your car? Abso-fudging-lutely.”
“Then consider it a reminder of what you owe.”
“Like I could forget.” She got out and slammed the car door shut.
I watched her scurry up the sidewalk, tossing furtive glances over her shoulder, and disappear past the entrance. I tittered under my breath at the doubt I’d seen on her face.
With the push of a button, the phone rang on the car speakers.
“Yes?” Vinny answered.
“I’m in the mood to adopt a kid.”
“Tell me you’re not serious. God damn it, you are. What kid?”
“You know which one.”
“The girl?”
“Yes.”
“What is it with you and this kid?”
“Remember us when we were that age?”
“Don’t tell me you feel sorry for her sad story.”
“Couldn’t give a flying fuck, but she’s got potential. She’s got arrogance, and if given the space and time, she will defy me andrun. This will keep her under my thumb. What better way to humble her for her act against me than to force her to live in the home of her brother’s murderer?”
“It’s a costly lesson. You want to link the girl to the Iannelli family?”
“She won’t have rights to inherit. Don’t worry.”
“You want her indebted to you.”
“I want her loyal. I want her to know that she lost and to accept it. She’ll be part of what she hated and look up to the man who killed her brother. What better punishment is there?”
