I kick him in the chest before getting out of that room fast before my baser instincts take over and I snap his neck before I realize what’s happening.
I’m heading down the hall when Vin calls out to me. “HEY.”
I stop and turn. “We’re done, right?”
“Fuck no. Jesus Christ, you and Matti are a fucking disaster. You’re both pissing me the fuck off. I’m out here trying to track down Aurelio, managing the war you started by trying to snatch your girlfriend away from the altar, and my underboss andconsigliereare off getting laid.”
I glare at him. What Matti’s doing is none of my concern, but my focus is not on getting laid. “You done?”
“No, actually, I’m not.” He points at me, smoke curling from the cigarette in his hand. “You’re coming with me. We’re going tosee Matti, and we’re figuring out what to do about the Luminous & Co. job.”
“Now?”
“Right fucking now. I’m done playing games with you fuckers.”
27
Tommy
It’s happening, and it’s happening now.
That wasn’t the plan. We were just going to go to Matti’s to talk about how to handle the Luminous job, but it quickly became clear that we had no time to lose.
Aurelio is gunning to get in there first, and Franco wants to beat him to the punch, so we have to get there ahead of everyone. If all goes well, we’ll be in and out of there in an hour, and I can get back home to my girl.
When everyone at Matti’s scatters to get the appropriate clothes to ambush a high end jewelry store in a well-populated building without arousing suspicion, I head home to Gi.
Back at the safe house, I take the stairs two at a time. I can’t stand being away from her.
The house is quiet and the lights are low even though it’s the middle of the day. Una is sitting on the couch with all herelectronic devices around her and open as usual. When she sees me, she straightens instantly.
“Where is she?” I ask.
Her lips press together. “Bathroom.”
“What does that face mean?”
“She’s been in there awhile. A couple hours or so.”
My stomach drops. I move down the hall fast and stop at the bathroom door, knocking softly. No answer. I do our knock, three slow taps.
“Baby, open the door.” I keep my voice as gentle as I know how to be, but even I can hear that I’m on the verge of losing my shit and kicking the door down.
There’s a pause, then her voice comes small and soft. “I just… I need space, Tommy.”
Fuck, is she still upset about earlier? I close my eyes and lean my forehead against the door.
“Gi, I’m sorry about this morning. I just—I don’t want to hurt you, sweet girl. I’ll make it right, okay? Will you let me do that? I just have to go back out for a few hours, and when I come back, you and I will figure things out. Okay?”
“You’re leaving again? Why’d you come back at all?” Her voice is flat, dead, and I hate it.
I exhale hard. “To see you. To change clothes.” I don’t want to tell her about Luminous. I don’t think she’ll care that we’re hitting her father’s business, but I also don’t want her to worry while I’m gone. “We’ve got a job, so I have to go out again.”
She’s silent, so I keep going. “If you need anything, ask Una. And check the nightstand. I left something there for you, okay? Use it if you need to. And if you need me,just call.”
Nothing. No sound.
I tap out our three knocks again.
