“You call him Al?” Tommaso asks, incredulous.
Embarrassment washes over me. “Alex? Allen? You know … him?”
He rubs his jaw, as if weighing his options.
“What’s the harm in giving me his contact information?”
“Listen, sweetheart. I’ll tellAlyou stopped by looking for him.” Tommaso’s lips twitch, and I grimace, disliking being the butt of some inside joke.
“Should I write down my number?”
“Not necessary.”
I frown, confused.
Before I can press further, his phone vibrates loudly on the counter by the refrigerator, cutting me off.
He strides over to it, scowling as he checks the caller ID.
“But believe it or not, he’s not the reason I’m here,” I say, reaching for the envelope.
“You work for Ciro Cigorelli?” His voice reverberates through the trailer.
“Yes, I’m here for the envelope.”
His friendly demeanor vanishes instantly. “Fucking hell. Are you in on it?”
We exchange a tense look, then both turn as his phone vibrates angrily again. The caller is persistent.
“In on what? I don’t understand…”
“This explains everything.” In a swift motion, he grabs his phone and turns away. Despite his size, he moves with surprising grace, but as he does, his black T-shirt rides up, revealing a gun holstered in his black jeans. “I hate to have to tell you this,” he says to whoever is on the line.
I don’t wait to hear anything more. My instincts scream danger, and the gun tucked into his jeans is enough to make me heed the warning. While his back is turned, I slip away, leaving behind my one chance to reconnect with my stranger.
CHAPTER 6
SANDRO
It takespersistence on my part and nerve on Tommaso’s to get him to answer my call. It’d serve him right if my father knocked on his door without warning.
“I hate to have to tell you this,” he begins.
But I cut him off because I’m in the middle of shit. “Hold on.”
“Sir. Why are you dressed?” the nurse who just walked into the room exclaims. “You should be in bed.”
“Fuck off.” I pierce her with a hard look. They sent in a newbie today, all bubble gum and roses. She races from the room quicker than the others did.
“The hospital releasing you early?” Tommaso asks, surprised.
“No. I’m releasing me.”
He makes a choking sound.
“Pack your shit. We’re going to Italy once my men handle Cigorelli. If you survive.”
“What?” he hollers.
