Yes, I would have. Her ex was incalculable, and I wouldn’t take any chances. Not when it came to Harley’s safety.
Rome downed the rest of his Family Reserve and set the glass down on the coffee table. “Anything else?”
“Nope.” Harley skirted me a glance, and I shook my head.
I rose, hand extended toward Rome. “Thank you for your time and for looking into things.”
His grip was firm as he, too, stood. “My pleasure.”
Back in the garage, I once again grimaced at the sight of the damage that had been done to the F-150. Saint James didn’t have the cash to fix it.
“Thank you for everything.” Harley looped her arms around Rome’s neck.
I had to look away when he brought an inked arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head. Rule sixty-six of the instruments of the spiritual art said not to be jealous or entertain envy. Yet here I was, doing exactly that. Then again, I had already broken half those rules. What did one more matter?
My own thoughts were like a punch to my gut. When had I become so indifferent? I needed to stop this. I needed to stop thinking about Harley and entertaining thoughts of us together. I needed to stop her from invading my dreams.
Those dreams . . . I’d almost told her what they had been about. How I’d stood there, hands cuffed behind my back while being searched. But it hadn’t been Officer Moore’s hand patting me down. It had been the hand of a woman with fiery-red hair, freckles, and full lips.
And I had indulged in every second of it. Harley, too. She’d had that same look in her eyes when she’d seen me in a T-shirt instead of a habit—curious, maybe even hungry.
“Hey.”
Rome’s gruff voice ripped me out of my fantasy. Heat crawled up my neck.
“Can I still count on you?” he asked, an eyebrow cocked.
I glanced at Harley, who climbed into the passenger seat of the F-150. “I told you I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“All right, all right. It’s just . . . You seem a bit”—he made a circling motion next to his temple—“absent-minded.”
“I’m fine,” I bit out. Was I, though? Was my mind sharp enough to perceive threats or was it preoccupied with thoughts about Harley?
The answer was clear—I needed to dial it in. Not only for Harley’s sake, but mine.
“Can’t you stay a bit longer, Brother Samuel?” Giuliana stood in the doorway, fingers clawing into the frame. “Please.”
“I have to get back to the monastery. See you on Thursday?” My heart ached when her expression crumpled. I hated leaving her here. No doubt Rome looked after her, but she needed a stable and loving family, not an uncle who might soon become the don of one of the most dangerous mobs in the country.
“Whatever.” Shoulders drooping, she turned and disappeared inside.
“Oi!” Rome barked after her. “Show some respect!” Hands fisted, he stared at the spot Giuliana had vacated, but she didn’t return. “Disrespectful brat,” he muttered.
“She’s hurting,” I said. “Angry at her father for abandoning her.”
“Didn’t abandon her. He got busted.”
“Because of his decisions and lifestyle. Same thing.” I looked him square in the eye. “I was an adult and didn’t speak to myfather when he went to prison, and I still struggle with the fact that he failed my siblings. Imagine how much more Giuliana does. I sure hope she doesn’t lose you, too.”
Rome’s muscles rippled under his dress shirt, and I expected to get decked any moment. But then he deflated. “Can you do us a solid?”
“Name it.”
“Things have been a mess, and . . .” He clenched his fists. Shook his head. “We need prayer.”
“Been praying for her since I met her a year ago. I’ll add you to the list.”
Rome nodded. “Grazie.Means a lot. Tell Harley I’ll let her know what I find out about the deal she witnessed.”
