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“Yeah, and right now, they’re not even gilded cages.”
“You know, if you helped me get out of here, I’m sure they’d help you. Allow you to live free. New identity and all that,” I said softly. “Give you a chance at a new life. One where you can go to LA or do your African safari.”
“I’d always be looking over my shoulder. They’d never forgive me. And right now, there’s no way I can get you past everyone upstairs,” he said, those soft green eyes saddened for me. Therewas an internal battle warring behind them, but he let his gaze fall back to his coffee. “And it’s not just me I’d have to worry about. My mom and sister, they could go after them if I stepped out on the family. These Moretti family members don’t follow the old codes. Maybe if it was Stefano and that side, but not Matteo and Mario.”
“It’s okay, I understand.” As much as it hurt, I truly did understand. Family was important, and he had to think of others. I’d never really had that, my mother not exactly winning any mom-of-the-year awards.
He let out a heavy sigh as he tapped his thumb on the side of his mug.
“Tell me about them, your mom and sister.” Anything to keep me from falling into a pit of despair in my own mind.
16
VERONICA
Ilearned Thomas’ father had died in a car accident, and since then, his mother and sister were less involved in the Moretti affairs. They both worked, but the family provided for them financially if they ever needed it, and they lived decently. His mother refused to remarry or take on another partner, loyal to her husband only, which he found sweet in a way, but he wanted her to find happiness again.
“Yolanda is doing great, seeing some nice guy I think. I know she wants to travel, but she’s uneasy with the way the family is right now. Women are allowed to do more in terms of going away, but with my standing right now, it’d be risky,” he said as he tapped his now empty mug.
“And you wound up on this side of things because of your uncle?”
“Yeah. He stepped in to help my mom, but the more I see now, I think he just secretly always had a thing for her. Once he realized he’d never get her, he stopped being a father figure to my sister and I, but he’d already put me on this trajectory. I justwanted to make my parents proud, but I don’t think this was the right way.”
“Some things are out of our control, but we can always change direction.”
“Yeah, I know.” He leaned back in his seat, lolling his head back against the wall.
His head jerked to the side as the basement door opened, and I pulled my legs up in front of me on the cot, the unease hitting me once more. Thomas was oddly comforting, but I knew whoever was coming down those stairs was anything but.
As if my gut had known who it was, Vincent appeared.
“Take a break, Tommy boy. Mario and Matteo won’t be back for a few more hours. Go get some proper rest while we wait for some news,” Vincent said as he cast his gaze my way. Those brown eyes were far too dark and murky, something unsettling swimming in their depths, only more pronounced by that twisted smirk he was giving me. His head was shaved, revealing those tattoos right up around his skull—he was certainly a man I’d avoid on the street.
“I don’t mind keeping watch,” Thomas said with a shrug, a quick glance my way giving me a touch of relief. He didn’t trust this guy either.
“Tommy, respect your elders. Get upstairs and take a nap, kid. See how Paul’s doing, think that old fuck is on edge with all this Slade drama, could use an ear,” Vincent said as he sniffed and leaned on the wall. “Maybe give your sister a call. She’d probably like to know how you’re doing.” The way his mouth quirked up as he mentioned his sister had the hair standing on the back of my neck.
Thomas’ jaw set, and he gave me a strange look, almost apologetic.
Of course Vincent had to mention his sister.
Thomas rose, taking his mug with him as he trudged up the stairs. He made sure to grab the plate he’d already taken from me and sat on the desk.
Leaving Vincent alone with me.
And the prickles breaking out on my skin as I shuddered were definitely not a good sign.
“He treating you nice? Made you a coffee?” Vincent mused as he nodded at the mug sitting by my cot. “He doesn’t quite understand this whole prisoner thing. He’s still young, he’ll get it eventually.”
“I guess he’s doing the whole last meal thing for someone on death-row. Keeping himself in good standing,” I stated, wishing I knew when to shut up.
“Yeah, never was much of a God man myself,” he clucked as he dragged his gaze over me. I was glad I was wrapped up in my blanket, but I instinctively wanted to pull it even tighter to shield myself from that penetrating once-over.
“Have they taken the deal?” I asked, wanting to keep him talking.
“No response yet from our guys. Things are unpredictable right now. That’s always fun,” he said, his gaze still locked on me like I was now a piece of raw meat.
I fought the urge to slink back on my cot, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.
