I’m still stunned when Sage chuckles. “Maybe we need to get them both on X and sit back and watch. I bet that would be something to see.”
Just then, the valet returns with the car, saving me from answering.
“Right then, how about I drive?” Tristan takes the keys from the valet. “You can continue with the unplanned day off and be a passenger princess.”
He doesn’t wait for me to argue and jumps into the driver’s seat, Sage taking the front passenger seat with Colton and Vienna hopping into the back, leaving me with my apparent emotional twin.
“After you.” He gestures, and I shake my head and climb in.
I slide over, and he climbs in behind me, pulling the door shut. Instead of keeping to his side of the vehicle, he sits right next to me, his thigh warm against mine through our clothes. He picks up my hand and holds it, giving it a squeeze.
“We’ll look after you, whether you want it or not,” he tells me, his gaze serious as he stares into my eyes. “No matter what happens, know we will always put you first,” he promises, and I can’t help but believe him.
A rush of warmth flows through my body that has nothing to do with the temperature of the car. These people accept me for me, flaws and all, and I can’t even begin to describe how fucking good that feels. They are not with me because I’m Tori Russo, enforcer of the Russo family, or because of what I can do for them. They just want me, Tori Russo, messed up in the head and emotionally stunted, but still worthy of affection and kindness.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Paintball is exactly what I needed, and I’m in a super good mood when we arrive back at the estate. There’s a strange car in the driveway, but we continue past it and park in the underground garage, using the elevator to head upstairs.
“You should have seen your face when I nailed you in that last game,” Sage crows at Tristan, who grabs him around the neck in a headlock. The two of them wrestle as we get out of the elevator, their hands becoming more and more grabby as they wrestle. Eventually, they give up, and Tristan slams Sage against the kitchen wall, kissing him like he’s the air he needs to breathe.
He pulls away, leaving Sage panting heavily, and winks at him. “Paintballing gets me all hot and bothered.” He strolls off, and the rest of us laugh.
“Looks like he nailed you good this time,” Colton teases, and Sage groans while Vienna and Xavier laugh. I shake my head at their antics and continue out into the main living area to find out whose car is in our driveway. None of the others follow me, I guess they are going to wash all the paint smears off themselves. I’ll clean up after I’ve sated my curiosity.
“Suzy? Ben? Whose car is in our driveway?” I call but come to an abrupt stop when I reach the lounge and find Agent Garciaand another FBI agent sitting on my couch. Ben has his arm around Suzy, comforting her, and she has tears streaming down her face. Oh, here we go. It’s showtime.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” I ask them, and Agent Garcia stands up.
“Ms. Russo, I’m Agent Gabriel Garcia, and this is my partner, Agent Fisher. I’m sorry to say that your uncle Lorenzo was killed in an FBI sting operation this morning. I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for us.”
I slap a hand over my mouth and will shock into my eyes. “A sting operation? Oh my god. What did he do?”
“Ms. Russo, can you tell us your whereabouts today?”
“What? Why? You don’t think I have anything to do with any of this, do you?” I ask. “I was at the Lucky Diamond all morning in the spa, and then as you can see, we were playing paintball this afternoon.” I gesture to my paint smeared clothes. “What is this about? Why was my uncle involved in an FBI sting operation?”
“Ms. Russo, it seems that your uncle was involved in a sex trafficking operation. We raided a warehouse this morning and uncovered about thirty people waiting to be auctioned and shipped to their buyers,” Agent Garcia explains. I already know this, but we are putting on a good show for Fisher.
I widen my eyes in shock. “A sex trafficking operation? That’s horrible. I had no idea.”
“I bet,” Fisher mutters under his breath sarcastically, and I harden my eyes and give him my dead stare.
“I know there are a lot of baseless rumors about my family in this state despite our legitimate business, but I can assure you that we would never stoop so low as to be human traffickers. Only scum of the earth deal in nonconsensual flesh.”
“So you had nothing to do with your uncle’s operation?”
I scoff. “My uncle and I were not on speaking terms. We avoided each other as much as possible. If you’re expecting me to weep over his demise, then you would be sorely mistaken. I had nothing to do with his actions nor will I miss the bastard, but thank you for informing us. When will his body be released for burial?” I ask.
“This is an ongoing investigation, so until it’s concluded, we will keep him on ice,” Agent Garcia tells me.
“Just contact my office when he’s ready to be released, and I will make arrangements. Can I help you with anything else?”
Agent Fisher opens his mouth to ask more questions, but Gabriel cuts him off. “No, we will contact you if we need to ask anything else.”
“Well, in that case, Ben will see you out,” I tell him, and he nods goodbye before following Ben out.
“We’re watching you,” Fisher hisses as he passes me, and I clutch my imaginary pearls, unable to stop myself from responding.
