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A demotion meant less money, sure, but right then, I didn’t care about that. A demotion also meant loss of respect and that was the part that should have been freaking me out. Instead, my thoughts kept going to Sofia; if I wasn’t a capo, I wouldn’t always hang out around the boss, I’d be doing random, low-level jobs instead, and that meant that I wouldn’t be hanging out around Sofia.
I would kiss the ring when I saw Teo because I didn’t have a death wish, but beyond that, my relationship with Sofia would irrevocably change, and the men I had come to consider my brothers would slowly become acquaintances–or worse, managers.
“Sof,” Grayson said. “Can you go get our coffees? The barista was still working on them when the pipe exploded.”
“Sure,” she said, flashing me a smile as she walked away.
Grayson looked up at me. “You look like shit.”
“Alright, well, don’t hold back, Gray. Tell me what you really think.”
Grayson chuckled. “I’m serious, man. You’re no use to anyone if you push yourself too hard and make your injuries worse.”
I nodded, knowing he was right. The last thing I needed was to be out of commission for even longer. “I know, I know. It’s just hard to feel like I’m not pulling my weight.”
“You will be,” he said firmly. “But you have to give yourself time to heal first.”
Another wave of frustration washed over me, but I forced myself to take a deep breath and let it go. The last thing I wanted was for Grayson to pick up on my insecurities and start second-guessing my abilities. “With the Viper on the loose, I’m concerned it won’t be fast enough.”
“Victor,” Grayson said. “Sofia’s safety is Teo’s priority and having you around is the easiest way to ensure her safety. But if you mess around with your own health, you’re going to put him in an awkward position. Do you understand what I mean?”
I nodded, feeling a grim sense of understanding. Grayson wasn’t saying anything I hadn’t already thought myself. But hearing it from someone else made the reality hit harder. Teo’s organization was built on loyalty, and if I couldn’t keep up my end of the bargain, there was a chance I’d be replaced. It was a harsh reality, but I knew it was one I had to face head-on.
“I’ll take it easy,” I said finally, forcing a smile on my face despite the dread that was slowly creeping in. “I won’t let my ego get in the way.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear,” Grayson said, clapping me on the back again. This time, the motion didn’t hurt as much. “Now let’s go grab that coffee before Sofia thinks we’re talking about her.”
He gestured toward the door and we both walked back inside.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I looked at Grayson, who furrowed his brow as he grabbed his own phone.
“Shit,” he said as he looked down at the same message we’d both gotten from Teo.
Come to my house ASAP. Shit is going down.
Whatever that meant...I was sure it wasn’t good.
Chapter Three: Sofia
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through Teo’s cozy living room, but I couldn’t bring myself to take a sip. My stomach churned with the news he had just delivered.
Jace was sitting on the sofa with his laptop on his knees, Grayson was leaning against the wall–the man seemed to always only crouch or lean–and Victor was half-sitting on the arm of the sofa, his gaze darting between Teo and a man I’d never seen before.
“You have to be wrong,” I said, my mouth dry.
I could tell Teo was resisting the urge to roll his eyes. “I’m not wrong, Sof,” he said. “I’ll let him tell you himself. Kevin, tell my girl what happened to her brother.”
I’d seen the other guys scared of Teo before, but I’d never seen anyone look quite as scared as Kevin did in that moment.
“It’s okay,” I said, flashing Teo a warning look. “Don’t worry. Just tell me what happened.”
“I’m not sure,” Kevin said. “He was on…date. I don’t interfere with that shit, and then, I don’t know, something happened to the guy he was on a date with when he went home. Then the police picked your brother up when he was at home and I made myself real scarce.”
“You were supposed to never leave him alone,” Teo said, in that soft, terrifying voice of his.
“I didn’t, boss,” Kevin defended himself. “I just left for a second when things got hairy. I didn’t want the cops to catch me. My plan was always to go back. I know they would try to turn me and…”
“Whoa, there,” Grayson said, suddenly standing straight. “Go home, Kevin.”
