“I’m sorry you had to go through all that,” he says as he looks at the motel. “I really am. You know I love you and I’m here for you. But it doesn’t explain why the fuck you’re sitting out here, watching that—” He stops midsentence and leans forward, sitting on the edge of the bench.
I follow his gaze and feel my stomach drop.
A man’s standing on the second-floor balcony outside of an open room door. He’s shirtless, smoking a cigarette, and taking into a cellphone. Even at this distance, I recognize his hair and his mannerisms, the way he holds himself, the shape of his face.
So handsome and charming. The sort of man that draws people to him without having to do much more than smile and laugh and nod along.
It’s Rinaldo.
Casso turns and looks at me as he slowly stands. “How long have you known?”
“Listen to me,” I say through clenched teeth. “It’s not what you think.”
“Nico. How long have you known?”
“A few days.”
“Why?” He takes a step back and the anger in his face nearly breaks my heart.
He doesn’t trust me. And why would he?
“What would’ve happened if I turned him in? Your father would’ve sent Karah to Dallas. Rinaldo was the only thing keeping her here and I couldn’t have her thrown aside, not until I was ready.”
“So you kept this a secret? You let him live, even after what he did to my sister?” Casso’s face is drawn in shock and rage. “How could you?”
“She was never in danger. I’ve been keeping tabs on him constantly, and when I wasn’t, I was with her. She’s been perfectly safe since I found out where he’s staying.”
“You selfish piece of shit.” Casso laughs, shaking his head, but it’s an ugly and bitter sound. “You kept this secret for yourself.”
“I kept it for everyone and especially for her.”
“No, no, don’t pretend like this was for anyone but you.” He takes two quick steps away and reaches behind his back.
I know what’s there. My hand is on my gun the instant he twitches in the direction of his own, and by the time he’s got his weapon drawn, mine’s already in my hand and aimed at his feet.
I don’t raise it to his chest. I don’t escalate.
His jaw tightens and his eyes widen a fraction of an inch. He knows I’m faster and more dangerous—this is what I do. I fight and I kill and I do it for him and his family, and now he’s getting a taste of what they turned me into, what they molded me into for their own needs. I’m an animal, a rabid dog, a deadly wolf with sharp fangs, and now he doesn’t like that my teeth are around his throat.
“We’re taking him down,” Casso says, staring into my face. “Right here and now. You and me. We’ll discuss what happens after that.”
“I wanted to wait until nightfall.” Which is true, though I didn’t plan on doing it tonight.
“No waiting. We go right now.” He turns and Rinaldo’s gone, disappeared into the room. “You can back me up or you can leave the fucking country, because if you’re not with me then you’re against me. I don’t give a damn what happens to Karah. I’ll make sure you pay for this.”
I get to my feet. “I’m with you, brother.”
He nods but doesn’t smile as he stalks to the motel with his gun still drawn.
I follow on his heels, my heart skittering through my chest like a galloping horse. This isn’t how I wanted this to go down, but what choice do I have? If I plan on marrying Karah tomorrow, I can’t have her brother hating me any more than he does now, which is probably a significant amount. He caught me hiding something major from him, and he thinks I jeopardized his sister’s safety.
But I’d never do that. I had it handled from the beginning. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was either watching Rinaldo or with Karah for the last few days. It’s been exhausting and wildly boring—at least sitting outside of the motel’s been mind-numbing—but I did it to make sure she remained here, with me, and out of harm’s way.
Casso won’t believe it and I’m not sure I can blame him.
We hurry through a short thicket of brambles separating the sidewalk from the motel’s parking lot. Rinaldo’s door opens and he steps out again wearing a shirt with a backpack slung over his shoulders and I try to warn Casso with a sharp whistle—but it draws Rinaldo’s attention as well. He looks over the balcony and for one suspended moment, he stares into my eyes.
We share a look, broken only by the burst of Casso’s gun as he aims for Rinaldo’s head.
His shot goes wide. Rinaldo sprints away, heading for the stairs.