Twisted Bonds (The Camorra Chronicles 4)

Adamo pushed himself into a sitting position. “I would never give away our codes. Not even for drugs.”

“Tell us who sold you the shit.”

Adamo lowered his eyes. “There are these guys at the races. They’re taking stuff themselves. I pay them double so they buy for me as well.”

“They know who you are?” Remo asked.

Adamo nodded. “Everyone knows who I am.”

Remo turned around and stalked out.

“Names, and if you know, where to find them,” I demanded.

“Kay and Josh. They’re always staying with the main race crew in the camp.”

I held out my hand to Adamo and he took it. Back on his feet, he sighed. “I really tried to stay away from drugs, but the weed—it made things better and then one of these guys said the heroine would make it even easier …”

“Nothing that’s worth anything comes easy, Adamo. You are right, Remo and I we sometimes still struggle with the past, but we still move on because we have people who rely on us, and you have too. We rely on you. We need you as part of our family, so face your fears without drugs.”

Adamo didn’t say anything.

“I’m going to lock you in for now. Later when someone’s here to keep an eye on you, you can move around the house.”

He sank down on the bed and I left. Remo was still in the hallway when I stepped out, leaning against the wall and looking murderous. “We’ll have to set an example. Get it into people’s head that they need to stop selling the shit to him.”

“Let me and Fabiano handle it. You stay here with your kids. Keep an eye on things.”

“You still think Samuel might use the info he gathered while being here for the wedding? For an attack?”

I shook my head. “I think he won’t risk anything with his sister being around, but I think you should stay here. I know you believe you have to protect us all, but Fabiano and I can handle this.”

Remo didn’t like it, but he had his twins to think about and throwing himself into every conflict had to stop. I could see how hard he took Adamo’s drug addiction.

“All right,” he said slowly. “But you’ll make sure everyone gets the message.”

I gave him a look and he bared his teeth in a harsh laugh. “Yeah. You’ll do that.”

“I’ll go in search for Fabiano and tell Kiara that I’m leaving then we’ll head out.”

I crossed the gardens to Fabiano’s house. Leona was stretched out on one of the sunchairs and reading. She sat up when she saw me approach. “Something happen?”

“I need Fabiano for a mission.”

“He’s in the gym, working out.”

I nodded but before I went inside, I said, “Serafina, Savio and the twins are at the pool. Why don’t you join them?”

Surprise crossed her face. “I will, thank you.”

I nodded then headed into the living room. Fabiano’s house was smaller than ours and didn’t have any wings but was still a huge building. The gym was down the corridor and when I stepped in, Fabiano was doing bench presses. “Shouldn’t you be more vigilant?”

“Recognized your steps.” He put the barbell bar into the safety rack above his head then sat up and wiped the sweat from his face and chest. “Adamo?”

I nodded. “He gave us names.”

“When do you want to leave?” Fabiano asked as he stood.

“As soon as possible.”

“Will Remo be coming?”

“No, he should stay here and keep an eye on things.”

“How long will we be gone?”

Always efficient when it was about a mission, that what I appreciated about Fabiano. “Overnight, maybe two. The camp’s currently stationed near Sacramento.”

“All right. Give me fifteen minutes to grab a quick shower and pack a few things.

With a short nod, I went back to our mansion to look for Kiara. I found her at her piano but she wasn’t playing anything, only frowning at her fingers on the keys. I sat down beside her. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” she said slowly, then gave me a small smile.

I caressed her upper arm with the bruises. She wasn’t telling the truth. Given her cycle she was supposed to get her period two days ago. We’d slept together this morning and she definitely hadn’t bled. “I have to leave for Sacramento to handle a few things.”

“Did Adamo tell you who sold him the drugs?”

“He did.” I didn’t say more and Kiara didn’t ask, merely nodded. She knew what needed to happen.

“How is he?”

“We locked him into the secure room. He’ll only be allowed outside if Savio or Remo are around to keep watch.”

“Is that really necessary?”

I brought her wrist to my mouth and kissed it. “We don’t know how long Adamo’s been taking heroine. Or what else he’s taken. We might find out in Sacramento, but if his addiction is serious, which I fear it is, he might do something stupid trying to get them.”