Bound By Blood Anthology (The Camorra Chronicles 7.50)

“So you think you still have time for such a big project besides work, two kids, and a wife?”

Romero shrugged. “I sleep less and I don’t party anymore. The time I wasted on nursing hangovers in the past is now dedicated to other things.”

“Could you sound any more straitlaced?”

“After all the shit we see and do in our job, I enjoy the boring, ordinary side of my home life.”

I shook my head. “Speak for yourself. I still love the thrill.” My phone rang and Luca’s name flashed across the screen. I took the call.

“We got our hands on two new recruits from Tartarus. I thought I’d ask if you feel like getting your hands dirty.”

My smile widened. “Do you even have to ask?”

“Maybe you’re still stuck in the baby bubble. Don’t want Gianna to get her panties in a bunch.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be there in a bit. Where?”

“Warehouse 2.”

I hung up.

Romero scanned my face. “That’s your torture prelude face.”

“Luca got a job for me. You interested in getting your hands on some bikers?”

“I have to pay a visit to one of our bars. And you probably need me to take Gianna home later, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah, probably. I’ll see what she says.”

I headed back into the house. Lily and Gianna were still on the couch, drinking coffee. Isa slept beside Gianna, her arms stretched out over her head. Gianna looked up, scanning my face with narrowed eyes. “What’s up?”

“Luca called and asked if I could help him.”

“From the eager look in your eyes, I’m guessing it involves plenty of blood.”

“It might.” It most definitely would. I hadn’t been involved in the business for almost two weeks and felt itchy to return.

Gianna shrugged, touching Isa’s chest lightly. “We’re good here. I’m sure Romero will give me a lift later. Go have fun.”

I leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss. I waved at Liliana, then said a quick goodbye to Romero before I raced off in my car. My pulse began to quicken. For some reason this felt like the beginning, when the prospect of torture and danger still kept my blood pounding for a long time.

When I pulled up in front of our warehouse, I was whistling and eager like a teenage boy before his first fuck.

Luca shook his head when I strode into the warehouse. “You look like you might be peeing yourself from excitement.” He clapped my shoulder. “That bad at home? I thought you and Gianna were starting to find a routine with Isabella.”

“We are. That’s not it. I just missed this… being responsible twenty-four seven is hard. I’m just looking forward to a taste of my old life.”

Luca chuckled. “Knock yourself out. These bikers think they are tough.” He motioned toward the back of the warehouse and walked ahead. Behind heaps of old tires, two guys, maybe in their early twenties, were bound to chairs. Someone had roughened them up a bit; busted lips, a few scratches here and there, and already forming bruises. Nothing major. Not yet.

I gave them a grin and pulled my knife from its holster.

Growl leaned against the bare stone wall to my left, inked arms crossed and that stoic expression on his face that belied his violent nature. He nodded my way and I returned the gesture but quickly focused my attention back to our two captives.

One look at them told me they weren’t the sharpest knives in the cupboard. That wasn’t a surprise. The MCs often scraped their recruits from the bottom of society.

I doubted these guys knew anything of worth about the men we really wanted to have intel on: Earl White and his nephew Maddox. But cutting them up and sending them back to the bikers sent them a message even those redneck idiots must understand at some point.

Luca leaned against the wall beside Growl. I wouldn’t argue if they wanted me to do all the work. I couldn’t wait.

I chose the bulkier, braver looking first. Usually I kept the hard nuts for last, but I was too eager to prolong the fun.

It was early evening when I came back home. I hadn’t stayed longer than necessary, not wanting to abandon Gianna. The penthouse was quiet and the lights were out. I set the takeout bags down on the kitchen counter and went in search of my wife and daughter.

Wife and daughter…

Who would have thought I’d ever have a small family?

Following a dim light into the bedroom, I found Gianna. She was curled up on her side on top of the covers in our bed, fast asleep. Isa was stretched out beside her, protected by Gianna’s body and a pillow. I walked over to them, and as if she could sense me, Isa opened her eyes and began squirming. Careful to be quiet, I picked her up and cradled her in my arms. I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.