“Youaremy slave, Giovanni. I need you. Christ, I’m over here eating bacon and chain smoking without you.”
“You shouldn’t. It’s bad for your heart.”
I smile despite the gravity of our situation. “I don’t give a shit about my heart. You are my heart. Tell me where you are so I can come get you.”
“I don’t want to be your burden or a curse.”
“You’re neither of those things. You are a blessing in every way.”
“You only did it for my grandfather.”
“In the beginning, yes. But if you think I’m doing it for your grandfather now, then you are lying to yourself.”
“Why couldn’t I be enough for you?” he wails as if pleading with someone else, not listening to a word I’m saying.
“You’re more than enough for me. You always have been.”
He sniffles, crying. “I’m freeing you, Valentin, so you can find another boy, one who’s easier to manage and wants more.”
I lean back against the brick wall and knock my head against it because I fucked this up royally if that’s really what he thinks. I decide to bring it back to the basics, the undeniable facts. “Another boy won’t suck my cock as good as you do.”
His silence gives me hope. He’s always been quietly conceited about this.
“He might, if you teach him.”
“Why would I train another boy when I have the perfect one already. Do you know how long it’s been now? Three days. My balls feel like they’re going to explode.” He makes a noise that might be a laugh. God, I fucking hope so. “So, you going to come back to me?”
“No.”
I swallow my regret. What will it take to convince him? But then, there is another way. “Will you do me a favor then? Look out the window at your neighbors across the street and tell me what you see.”
I call one of my men over so he can listen in.
Another deep sigh and Giovanni says, “I can’t see anything. The windows have cages on them, even the church.”
My man nods and goes to order the cars to come around.
“I love you, Giovanni, and I miss you. I want you to come home. Is there anything I can do to make that happen?”
“I’m sorry, Valentin. I love you too, but I’m no good for you. It’s time for me to go now. Goodbye.”
He ends the call. I try calling back to no avail. Meanwhile, my driver’s been idling on the curb. I climb into my Lincoln. “A church with a cage over the windows.” I say into the walkie talkie. “Report.”
“We’re on our way there, Boss,” Joseph replies. “It’s on Bristol. There’s government housing across the street. Five stories. Should take us an hour tops to search it.”
“Make it a half hour and I won’t maim you for life.”
“Roger that, Boss.”
I lean back against the soft leather of my seat and try not to have a heart attack.
The roomwhere Giovanni’s been hiding is a real shit hole—no furniture, broken appliances, used needles and trash lying all over the floor. Moldy food and rat droppings. Roaches galore. Giovanni’s lying on a dirty mattress wearing the same clothes he left in, curled up and clutching his hoodie like it’s a blanket. The tube is still tied off around his arm and the needle he used is lying nearby. He must have shot up again right after I talked to him because he’s gone now, a glazed expression on his face. It takes him a long time to register my presence as well as Dr. Greyson, who’s here by my side. My men are waiting in the hallway.
“Valentin?” Giovanni reaches out to me with one hand as if to see if I’m real or only imaginary. I grab his fingers and lock them with my own, needing something solid to anchor him to me.
“What have you gotten up to, sweetheart?” I’ll be mad at him later. I’m just so fucking relieved at the moment.
“Nothing good.” He shakes his head sadly.
