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“I suspect you’re right.” A sardonic chuckle built in my chest. “Don’t. I’ll send them to Soren and see what he can find out. Did Antonio wear gloves?”
Benny nodded. “Yes, but with as much oil as what leaked from her engine, it might have smeared any prints on the damn thing.”
“Let’s have Soren look, anyway. We might get lucky. Besides, the bugs may yield more information and could connect the two.” I placed the line and trackers into the drawer of my desk and locked it. “Is there anything else I should know about the vehicle of hers?”
“Other than a small bend in the frame, nothing. It’s an old, sturdy car.” Benny shrugged.
“And the boy?” As much as I’d seen Lucas around the house, the kid didn’t talk much. He was an observer. A people watcher. Men like him were dangerous in my line of work. They figured out patterns. Memorized ticks and mannerisms. They had the uncanny ability to remember what a person order for breakfast or dinner. They were often indifferent to their surroundings as well. What I couldn’t nail down was if he did it subconsciously or if he was doing so to stay hypervigilant, as though he were protecting his sister. Which, all things considered, they were all they had left.
“He said there was an accident shortly after his parents died that caused his left arm to not be as useful anymore. He thinks he’s being lazy while his sister works all the time.” Benny shrugged.
“Hmm...” I frowned. “I’ll have Soren dig into that, too.”
“Can you believe he asked if there was a gym around here where he could rehab his arm?” Benny grinned.
“Did you show him the facility below the house?” If the boy wanted to regain the strength in his arm, so be it. I had different rooms in the basement, including a place where each of my men were tattooed. The others were spare bedrooms and a private break room for security.
“No. I wanted to speak with you first and get your thoughts.”
I nodded. “Bring him down, find some exercises he can do to rebuild muscle mass. Then go from there.”
“I will.” Benny turned and started for the door before pausing. “For what it’s worth, I think they’re a couple of scared kids who are alone in this dog eat dog world.”
“Collins isn’t a kid,” I muttered, though I’d thought the same thing while talking to Soren over a bottle of scotch.
“To us, she’s a baby. She’s so fucking innocent, she makes my back teeth ache. If I wasn’t married, I’d take her up on the meals she’s offering.”
I tilted my head in confusion and frowned. “Meals?”
Benny glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “Yep. She offered to buy me dinner and make me and Antonio breakfast this morning.”
“She’s a good nut.” As Rosalina would say. “Thanks for bringing this to my attention.” But, it begged the question, who would want to harm Collins and her brother and why? From all accounts, they were nobodies trying to make their way through life. Was there something I was missing because my brain had been stuck on wanting to fuck her?
“No problem,” he replied. “Is everything good with Rocca?”
Benny’s question knocked me out of thoughts. “Absolutely. It seems my baby girl is growing up, is all.”
“Thank fuck, I was blessed with a baby boy,” Benny grumbled. “I’d be losing my shit right now if I were you.”
“That’s why my name is on the building.” I grinned, teasing my old friend. “I can handle a little blood.”
Benny shook his head. “I feel sorry for whoever she dates and eventually marries.” He lifted his hand as he exited the office.
I sagged against my desk.
Going from high to low in a matter of moments left me exhausted. It’d been years since I jerked off, let alone almost got caught. At least my phone had gone quiet, and Rocca was back, safe and sound. Collins... I stared at the locked drawer where I kept all of my important things. Something about her wasn’t adding up. What it was, I had no clue. Perhaps, after Soren checked out the line himself, I’d have more answers than questions, but knowing my luck lately, answers were harder to come by.
After cleaning up in the bathroom attached to my office, I went in search of Rocca to check on her. Days like these Rosalina would have swooped in, cradled our daughter, probably had some carb loaded movie fest ready to go while she and Rocca commiserated over boys and whatever else they could think of. All I could offer her was some range time. Maybe shooting things would make her feel better?
“Rocca?” I knocked on her door before opening it. She laid on her bed, her tablet open, watching something with a chocolate donut beside her. I swallowed a laugh as I stepped farther into the room. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were parted slightly as she napped. My baby. My life and light. I placed her donut on her bedside table, so she didn’t get herself dirty. I wouldn’t disturb her movie because her day must have been exhausting.
“Oh, you’re here.” Collins stepped into the room. “Oh, she’s sleeping. Good. Rest is good on a day like this.”
“Thank you, Ms. Attwood, for helping her today.” I stared down at my daughter’s sleeping form. “I think I would have been just as embarrassed as her if she’d blurted out the issue.”
“It has to be hard for both of you, Mr. Daidone—er—Miceli. Her because she misses her mother so much and you because you must miss your wife.” Collins hovered just out of my reach. Her hands were behind her back as she gazed at Rocca. “I told her it gets better after the first time. By my age, she’ll be past the freaking out.”
I grinned. “I’m sure. Is there anything I can do?”
