Atanas gives me a questioning look. “Who?”
“Anton.” I search my memory, then add, “Belinski.”
“He isn’t here,” Atanas assures me. “I already checked the dead, hoping to find Boris.”
“Fuck!” I snap, and holding my hand out to Dad, I say, “Give me your phone.”
Dad digs the device out of his pocket and hands it to me. “Call your mother while you’re at it. She’s sick with worry.”
“Let’s go,” Atanas says, signaling with a wave to all the men that we’re leaving.
I dial Rosie’s number and wait as it rings.
“Hi, Uncle Renzo. Is Georgi okay?”
“It’s me,” I say. “I’m fine. I need you to use every fucking skill you possess to find Anton Belinksi.”
“On it.”
I stop at the nearest SUV and open the back door, then tip my head, indicating for Nina to get in while I end the call with Rosie and press dial on Mom’s number.
As I climb in beside Nina and Simi, the call connects, and Mom answers, her tone exhausted and emotional. “Any news?”
“Hey, Mom. I’m fine. I’m with Dad.”
“Oh my God!” she cries, then she dissolves into a fit of tears, and while she sobs, my tone is comforting as I say, “I’m okay, Mom. Just a little banged up and down a few pounds. Once I’m home, you’ll need to feed me.”
“Anything you want. Jesus, Georgi.” Her voice disappears.
Dad gets into the front passenger seat, while Fabrizio, one of Dad’s guards, slips in behind the steering wheel. He’s like a second father to me, and I’m glad to see he came along.
“I love you,” I murmur affectionately to Mom, and it only makes her cry more. “I’m okay.”
“Did…did they…” She clears her throat. “How badly are you hurt?”
“I still have all my body parts,” I say to ease her worst fears. “Just two bullets and a few beatings. Nothing serious.”
The SUV begins to move, and as we leave Boris’ property in a convoy, I don’t look around but instead glance down at my forearm. Even though the bleeding has slowed down, I’m starting to feel very lightheaded.
“I want you to come home now,” Mom whimpers. “I need to see you and hold you.”
“I just have a couple of things to wrap up this side. Two or three days at most.”
“I love you so much, Georgi. For the sake of my sanity, keep Dad and Santino with you all the time.”
I grin at the back of Dad’s head. “I don’t think Dad will let me out of his sight anytime soon. Don’t worry. I’ll be home before you know it.”
“What is he saying?” I hear Simi whisper to Nina.
“He’s telling his Mama he loves her,” she replies softly to her daughter while gently rubbing the little one’s back.
“I have to go, Mom. Talk to you soon.”
“Love you!”
“Love you too.”
I end the call, and as I lean forward to hand the phone back to Dad, it slips from my hand, and my vision tunnels.
