Adjusting his grip on me, Terzo led me toward the steps.
“How?” I started again, before coughing on smoke.
"Relax, man. Don’t talk. Damn, what have you been eating?” he said, partially dragging me toward the vehicles.
“How are you... here?” I rasped.
“Look, I didn't feel right letting you handle this alone. Your brothers aren’t here to back you up. Therefore, it’s my job to make sure you don’t die. That’s why I had some of the cleaners follow me here to check on you. I didn’t expect to find you roasting in a mansion."
Fucking Terzo.
I couldn’t believe he’d come here. How did he even know where to come?
“How... did you know... where I....” Another round of coughs wracked my body.
"How did I know where your cousin lived?”
I nodded. What the hell did I do that for? My world tilted on its axis.
“I remembered the address from when you were investigating your cousin,” Terzo continued. “It was you who told me your cousin...hold on. Someone get the door for me,” he yelled. “Like I was saying, it was you who told me your cousin had another home besides the villa. We came here and found one of the guards setting fire to the place."
That had to have been the front gate guard.
"Where is he?" I asked.
“Uh. Don’t tell me you need him alive?”
“No.”
“Good. He’s dead. Lower your head so you can get into the car,” Terzo instructed me. “There you go.”
I had no idea what he was talking about. I hadn’t lowered my head. His ass was stuffing me into his passenger seat.
“Fuck. You’re heavy as hell,” he complained after getting me inside.
"My car..." I muttered, eyes drifting shut.
"What?"
"My car ... Is in the woods. West side... dirt road... outside the gate."
“I’ll have someone sweep the area. We’ll get your ride.”
I spoke up again when he started to close the door.
“Keys... in... pocket.”
“We can get it without the keys. But if you want me to get your damn keys,” he said, checking my pockets. “Even when bleeding out, you’re an ornery bastard. But no matter what, you’ve kept your grip on that duffel.”
Had I? I couldn’t even feel it at this point.
“Hey, Mike,” Terzo called out. “Here’s his car keys. The vehicle is on the west side of the property. On a dirt road outside the gate. Get it and bring it to the hospital.”
“Okay, boss.”
“Hey, Rome. Hey, you still with us?” Terzo asked.
I forced my eyes open.
