Page 34 of Vicious Temptation

“Everything okay?” Matteo asks as he comes around the corner with Zara in hand. “You need me to handle something for you?”

“No,” I say, forcing a small smile. “He won’t be a problem anymore.”

“Was it something I said? Is that why Officer Thiago left?” Zara lowers her gaze, disappointment softening her pretty features.

I gently tip her chin up. Technically, it was something she said, but not what she’s thinking. Thanks to her, I found out who Thiago really is before…

I stop myself before the thought can go any further.

“No, Z. Absolutely not.”

She smiles, but I can tell she’s not fully convinced, so I pull her into a hug.

Zara is my unlikely little best friend. I see so much of myself in her at that age. She’s spunky and precocious, speaks without a filter, and has never quite fit the mold people expect of her.

Matteo’s gaze drifts beyond me as Thiago’s truck roars to life.

“Are you sure you’re okay? We saw you two⁠—”

“Lapse of judgment. That’s all. But like I said, he won’t be back.”

“Understood.” He nods once. “You know all you have to do is say the word, Remi. I’ve got you. Always.”

Zara looks up, her eyes shifting between us.

When we were kids, we came to understand the world we were growing up in, and the roles our parents played, one layer at a time, year by year. For now, Zara knows what she needs to. She knows her family will always have her back and that we look out for each other. She knows there isn’t a person standing here who wouldn’t do anything to keep her safe.

One day, she’ll understand exactly how far that anything goes. A part of me wishes she never has to.

I look at Matteo again and flash him a grin. “Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?”

Stepping into him, I wrap my arms around his middle, holding on a little tighter than I normally would. He doesn’t ask why. He just laughs and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“Zara wanted to invite you out for ice cream. It’s why we stopped by. But I understand if you’re not really in the mood.”

“Please, Remi! Come with us,” she chirps, bouncing up and down.

“You know I’d never miss out on a sugar rush with my mini me.” I pull back, already moving. “Let me grab my stuff, lock up, and I’ll meet you two outside.”

Ten

Remi

Ilean over the engine bay, lollipop shifting between my teeth as I tighten the last coil pack and step back. I’ve been at this for hours…maybe. I lost track of time two playlists ago.

“Come on,” I mutter, wiping my hands on a rag already stained beyond saving. “Don’t start this shit with me.”

Tearing open the door, I drop into the seat, turning the key while silently praying to a higher power.

“This is it.”

The GT-R fires up, smooth for a second, then stutters.

Again.

“God-fucking-damnit!”

I squeeze my eyes shut and exhale through my nose before climbing back out and heading under the hood.