Page 57 of His Sinful Need

“That’s right,” Jack says with a grin. He pauses at the car, extending a hand to Bricker. “Fabrizio, was it? Call me Jack.”

“And you can call me Bricker,” he says.

“Bricker. Okay. Well, let’s get underway.”

Out of some silent agreement, Bricker and I take the back seat together. We try not to sit too closely together, while Jack mutters from behind the wheel, something about not being a chauffeur.

“Thanks for having my back in there,” Bricker says stiffly to me as we take off, his eyes focused on the passing scenery outside the window. His jaw is tense, the muscles ticking as he clenches it. He’s on edge after our meeting with Anna-Vittoria, and the prospect of coming to meet my own Boss can’t be pleasant.

“No need to thank me,” I reply, trying to look out my own window. But I steal a few glances at him, wondering what he’s thinking.

I can’t regret kissing him last night. It probably means a lot more to me than it does to him, anyway. He needed comfort. I was there.

Maybe there were other ways to provide it, but in the moment—

And then I see Jack looking at me in the rear-view, catching me off-guard. I don’t like the look in those gray-blue eyes, the interested lift of his brow.

“How’re things at Redwood?” I ask, trying to divert his train of thought.

“So-so,” Jack says. “You’re much missed.”

I give a small smile, but now Bricker turns away, his brow furrowed. And that’s the only conversation we have the rest of the way to Redwood. But I can see Jack glancing at me in the mirror now and then, his curiosity piqued.

The closer we get to Redwood Manor, the more anxious I feel. My loyalty is being tested in ways I never imagined, but it’s my attraction to Bricker that truly terrifies me. I really don’t want to have to explain that to Sandro Castellani. I was sent to the Espositos as a gesture of good faith.

Not so I could almostbedone of them.

The one of them that also happens to be my ex-partner’s son…

Before long, we arrive at the iron gates of Redwood Manor, where Jack slows the car to a crawl for the guards, leaning out to let them know who the unfamiliar face is. I feel a pang as we pass through the familiar entrance, a little ache in my chest for the Family I left behind. There’s a part of me that wants to dive out of the car, refuse to leave the estate, stay right here where I’m loved and wanted.

“You back for good, Pedretti?” one of the guards calls out from the door as we pull up in front of the house, his voice filled with genuine warmth that makes me forget all about the gray skies overhead. My name is echoed by several others, their smiles lighting up. It’s been too long since I’ve seen their faces, and I return their enthusiastic smiles with one of my own.

“Not back yet, Santarelli,” I tell the guard who asked. “Gotta let DeLuca earn his stripes first.”

“You reallyhavebeen missed,” Bricker murmurs under his breath, his arms folded across his chest as he takes in the scene.

“Let me introduce you,” I say. “This is Bricker Soldano, the Capo I’ve been working under while I’ve been with the Espositos.” And then I tell Bricker the names of each guard, though I don’t expect him to remember them.

They all look him head to toe, and it does nothing for Bricker’s attitude. “Hi,” Santarelli says, his expression reserved. The contrast between their greeting for me and their reception of Bricker isn’t lost on either of us.

“Hi, yourself,” Bricker replies, extending a hand. Santarelli hesitates for a moment before shaking it.

“Let’s go on in,” Jack says diplomatically. “The Boss is waiting.”

Things don’t get much better inside, because waiting right there in the foyer, with a cold smile for Bricker and a delighted hug for me, is Julian Castellani. “Pedretti!” he says, squeezing me hard. “I’m so glad you’re back! Shall we send your friend straight to the cells? They’re partially filled in, but the cement’s still wet, so—”

“Cut it out,” I sigh, pushing him away. I turn to Bricker. “He’s kidding.”

“Am I?” Julian stares unblinkingly at Bricker, who glares back.

“Yeah,” I say. “You are. Bricker is our guest. Make sure you treat him like one.”

“Of course,” Julian replies, his smile never reaching his eyes. “We wouldn’t want any misunderstandings, now would we?”

I change the subject. “Where’s Darian?”

“I gave him the day off.”

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