“Richiama il cane,” the stranger says to me, then repeats himself in English. “Call off the dog.”
“Now, why would I do that?” My eyes never leave Gabe’s dark green ones. When I first saw him standing in Reed’s living room the day I showed up. I thought he had the most beautiful eyes. I’ve never seen someone with dark forest green eyes before. I still think that but I can’t allow myself to get lost in them like I did before.
“Because I would hate to have a pissed-off Italian Capo on my ass for killing his surrogate daughters’ dog.” I risk a quick glance at the stranger and see that he is pointing a gun right at Reaper.
“Tallone,” I tell Reaper to heel, and he listens. “We need to talk,” I say to Gabe. “Alone.”
“I think the fuck not,” Reed says, walking up beside me moving to stand next to Gabe. While I gave Reaper the command to heel, he head still moves as he tracks Reed. “What the fuck is all this Tara? Why do you have an attack dog? Why are you pointing a gun at Gabe? Where the fuck have you been?”
“None—”
Reed cuts me off. “I swear to fucking God if you say none of my goddamn business I will?—”
Two things happen simultaneously, Reaper lets out a deep growl, and Gabe grabs Reed by the back of his shirt and spins him around. “First off, don’t you fucking raise your voice at her ever again, and secondly, I dare you to finish your fucking sentence. Best friend or not, I will knock your ass out. Don’t threaten my girl.”
“I’m not your girl anymore.” I remind him as I lower my gun, tuck it back into my pants, and step back toward the woods. Fuck this. This has gotten way out of hand, and hearing Gabe protect my honor has made me feel funny inside. Before I can take another step back, the stranger speaks up again.
“Reed, Gabe fucking cool it. Tara, don’t leave.” He lowers his gun and jumps the rail of Gabe’s back deck to insert himself between Gabe and Reed, who are still stuck in an intense stare-off. Once they are apart, everyone turns to look at me. Fury and rage are flowing off Reed and Gabe while the stranger looks like this is an everyday occurrence. “You came here for a reason, and we have questions that need answers. I know you don’t trust easily, but I have a way to prove that you can trust me.”
I arch my eyebrow but say nothing. “Turn off the cell blocker and call Elio,” the stranger says.
I’ve been in enough situations by now to know that I don’t want to show my surprise at his statement. I need to keep the upper hand in this situation, but he’s right; I don’t trust anyone. I reach into my pocket and pull out the blocker. I click my tongue three times, and Reaper stands to attention between my legs and lets out a low growl.
“Name.” My eyes never leave the beast of a stranger.
“Jackson Soto,” he answers.
I pull out my phone and dial Elio, who picks up on the first ring. “Trouble?” He asks in his Capo tone.
“Maybe. Jackson Soto?—”
“Holy fuck. How did you come across Demon? Is he there?” Elio doesn’t sound afraid, more like impressed. His voice holds a sort of awe for the stranger in front of me.
“Yes.”
“Put me on speaker.” Reed and Gabe are looking more confused by the second. Reed’s hand is going to need stitches, but it doesn’t seem to be bothering him right now. I follow Elio’sorder and put the call on speaker. “Soto,” Elio says. The rain has calmed down, but we are all still getting soaked.
“Altobelli,” is all Jackson says, but it seems enough for Elio.
“You know the rule, Soto.” Reed and Gabe’s eyes are bouncing between the phone and Jackson. While mine are looking between all three of them.
“No harm will come to Tara.” Jackson nods toward me.
“Tara, call me the minute you get your answers,” Elio says, and then my phone screen darkens.
“I guess that means we should take this meeting inside,” Jackson says, motioning for us to follow. Reed and Gabe don’t move to follow him. They are standing as still as statues.
“What the fuck is going on,” Reed whispers. Gabe just shakes his head, choosing to address me instead.
“Tara, can we?—”
Clicking my tongue twice, I move toward the back deck, ignoring Gabe and signaling Reaper to follow me. I walk straight through the back door into the kitchen. “Tallone.” I point to the table, and Reaper sits beside it, his eyes never leaving the back door. I walk through the kitchen, down the hallway, and open the closet door. Inside, I grab a clean towel and head into the hall bath. I pull off the black leather jacket and let my hair out of the ponytail. Using the towel, I dry off as much as possible before leaving the towel in the hamper and returning to the kitchen.
Reed and Gabe are standing beside the table, eyeing Reaper, while Jackson cleans Reed’s hand. “Am I going to get a disease from your dog?” Reed asks.
“Don’t be such a pussy. It’s a little bite. Your hand isn’t going to fall off.” My tone is short and clipped. I’m not in the mood for this anymore. I just want my question answered so I can be on my way. I thought I was over this place and the man who lives here, but the longer I’m here, the more obvious it becomes that I’m not.
“What the fuck happened to my sweet little sister?” Reed is staring at me like I’m a complete stranger, and I guess I am.
