FRANCESCA
Ihad just opened the following day when my uncle and Bruno sauntered in.
My uncle’s cold eyes assessed me in that calculating way of his, as though I’d affronted him and awaited his judgment. He lived for the fear he instilled in others. Being his niece had done nothing to shield me from that; if anything it had made me more of a target.
“Francesca,” he greeted. “Two cappuccinos and some of those cannoli,” he ordered, gesturing to the display where I’d just put out a fresh batch. He never paid for anything.
“Sure,” I agreed, fighting a shiver as Bruno watched me.
Once I served them, they usually left me alone at least.
My phone pinged with a text from Maddox just as I returned to the counter after serving my uncle and Bruno. The two men sat talking quietly, plotting as usual.
I want to see you. Tomorrow night. Dinner?
Despite the stress my uncle always caused me, I grinned at my phone.
Okay.
You willing to drive a bit? Figure we can meet outside of town. It’d be safer. Wish like hell I could pick you up instead.
Despite my reservations, I wanted to see him again. Badly.
Okay.
He shared the name of a restaurant closer to Reno. I’d have to leave soon after closing to get there on time.
Drive safely, sweets.
I had to fight another grin, not wanting my uncle to catch on to my state of mind. He preferred me miserable. Always had.
I heard them mention Hawthorne and tried to be casual as I listened in to them discuss something about a drop that night. Wanting to relay the information to Maddox, I cleaned tables close by and refilled their water more than once.
After two cappuccinos and another pastry to support their ever-growing waist lines, they left.
I breathed a sigh of relief at finally being left to complete my workday in peace. I picked up my phone, wanting to text Maddox with the information I’d learned as soon as possible.
My uncle said something about a drop tonight in Hawthorne
Baby, don’t fucking risk yourself with this shit
My cheeks grew hot at feeling reprimanded when I was only trying to help. As though he sensed my reaction, my phone started to ring in my hand, Maddox’s name flashing on the screen. I ignored it, placing it on the counter instead.
I rolled my eyes when it only started ringing again and again. The man was relentless.
“Hello?” I answered finally, knowing he wouldn’t give up until I did.
“Baby.” The endearment was nearly a growl. “You can’t know….” He took a breath as though to calm himself. “You mean a hell of a lot to me. I know it’s early. Maybe that scares you. But you know what? Right now, I don’t fucking care. I know you’re trying to help. You have helped. But the idea of you being in the same room as that asshole makes me way fucking worried. But you listening in on him? That scares the shit out of me.”
“I’m being careful,” I murmured, my annoyance softened by his clear concern for me. “I want to help, Mad. I need to,” I insisted.
“We’ll talk about it later,” he replied.
“It was some sort of junkyard, it sounded like,” I added, still wanting him to have the information.
“I’ll look into it,” he sighed in resignation. “I can’t fucking wait to see you tomorrow.”
“You’re very sweary today,” I noted with a smile.
