He grumbles. “It was just a question, asshat.”
“And I gave you a fucking answer.” I step in front of him, nearly tripping him and walk ahead of him to the car.
Thankfully, Butch is the one driving us back to the Bianchi estate, and I’m in the back while Dante is in the passenger seat, so while I have to listen to them bicker and bitch, I mostly get to sit in peace and quiet.
Unfortunately for me, the silence means I have more time to think about what I’ve just done with Tommy in the hotel room.
My heart squeezes painfully in my chest. She would never understand. Would she?
We never had the time to talk about it. What she would want for me if she died. We lived our lives in the moment and only wanted to think about the good parts of the future, not the possible tragedies…
I’m certain, though, that what she would want for me isn’t hooking up with some guy I can barely stand. Using his body and letting him use my own.
Guilt is sharp and stings in my chest, and a lump forms in my throat. Am I really so desperate for connection? Or is it more than that? Is it Tommaso specifically?
No, it can’t be. I haven’t felt for anyone in years, and I’m not starting now. It only brings pain and suffering; I know this firsthand.
I try not to think about it anymore as I stare out of the window of the car. Not to think about Tommy’s skin under my hands, his body underneath mine, and the sound of his voice moaning for me. The look in his eyes when we finished. The pleasure, the bliss.
It’s easier said than done.
However, eventually we get to the Bianchi estate and I’m forced to put my mask back on. The mask of Trevor. I step outof the car and into the early spring air wearing only my suit, and walk ahead of Butch and Dante into the house.
When I get inside, I head right for Stephan’s office, not needing to be told to do so. He’s sitting at his desk just where I expect him to be.
“Petra and Raff will be buried in the family graveyard,” he tells me right away. “You were right to maintain your distance and not get involved afterward.”
Butch and Dante stand behind me, and I can’t help but smirk at being told I did the right thing.
“I knew you didn’t want me to make a scene, but damn if it wasn’t hard not going after him after what he did,” I say. I curl my hands into fists.
“We’ll get him, don’t you worry,” Stephan promises me. “We’ll get all of them.”
I nod slowly. “They’ll be on edge now. They know we’re watching them, they got rid of the bugs in their house and almost got a hold of our undercover men. What’s the plan now?” I ask.
Stephan steeples his hands on the desk. “I need some time to talk it out with my sons, he motions to Butch and Dante. “I didn’t want them getting involved in the kidnapping, but they might need to get involved for this next step.”
“What is the next step?” I ask. Trying to get as much information direct from the source as I can. The more intel I can get, the more I can bring back to the Dresvannis…the faster we can get this done.
“Well, for you… I’m not sure, you tell me.” He motions a hand toward me. It’s the last thing I want.
I sigh softly and sit down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Butch and Dante remain standing behind me. Like big statues.
“The Carvels approached him at the gala,” Dante speaks for me. “They want a piece of the action.”
Stephan raises a brow. “Oh, did they?”
“Yeah,” I say slowly. “Lucas Calver tried smooching up to me, but I turned him down. Finally, he told me that the Calvers want to talk to us. Want to cut a deal. They recently got some new weapons, an arms deal, and think they could be of some use to us.”
Stephan purses his lips and leans back in his chair. “We could use some more men on our side,” he agrees.
“They don’t have many men left,” I remind him.
“We could take all they got though,” Butch says.
I try not to turn my head and glare at him. I’m trying to make the Calvers look as bad or boring of a choice as possible and he’s not making it easy.
“Why don’t you go talk to them, Trevor?” Stephan asks of me. I know that he isn’t actually asking, though. He’s telling me.
