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Dante's face hardened, but he nodded.
This was what family was about.
Dante and Avery weren’t on speaking terms but, regardless of what was going on between them, Dante would put Tatiana’s safety first.
I picked her up, cradling her against my chest, and carried her towards my car.
“Knight,” she trembled against me, “I don’t feel so good.”
“I know, sweetheart,” I kissed the top of her head. “But we’re going to take care of that.
THIRTEEN
Fuck.Shit.Shit.Fuck.
In less than a week, my whole world had completely been turned upside down.
There was a reason I lived under a strict regimen. Daily exercise and training. Eating healthy. Frequent doctor checkups. Planned vacations. And it was all because I was running from a past I didn’t want to confront. I was happy where I was at, and so close to getting what I wanted most in life: retribution for my past, thereby securing hope for my future.
And now, someone had shoved me back into the world of my past, the asshole.
When I found out who’d ordered this, I was going to slit his neck from one end to another, like a gutted fish. I’d done it once before and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Someone was clearly out for my torture, but I wasn’t having any of that shit.
Not only was I going to have to deal with these fucking cravings again, I was also beholden to Knight—something unacceptable in my world.
He first took me to see a nurse, a girl named Olga, Phee for short, who took one look at me and proclaimed in a charming New Orleans accent, “Lord, not another one! Let me get the buprenorphine.”
After my withdrawal and delusional rantings had calmed down, he’d brought me back to his house—a place I’d never been. Not this one, at least. He'd stripped off my dress, showered and put me in a pair of sleeping shorts and a long t-shirt. Told me to get some sleep, and that we’d figure out what to do next, once I’d rested.
As soon as he was gone from the guest room, I’d jumped from the bed and was looking for a discreet way out of this place.
I couldn’t deal with being any more beholden to him than I already was, and being surrounded by his gorgeous andhomeyhouse was a temptation too big for even a strong woman like me. Everywhere I looked, it reminded me of a man I’d once fallen in love with, and those memories were best shoved back where they belonged: in the past.
He’d helped me tonight, been there for me when I really needed him but, despite my gratitude, I couldn't stick around and thank him. I would send him a stripper and basket of goodies as a thank you tomorrow.
My window faced a turquoise blue pool and a stunning view of the mountains beyond. His house was a three story mansion, built into a hill, and he had a row of cars on the side of the house. On the edges of my view, I could see them lined up, all nice and neat in a row. I’d bet my antique French vases that one of those cars had a set of keys inside.
Moving silently, I slipped out the window and onto the roof of the sunroom. As I made my way down the house and towards the driveway, a car began to snake its way up Knight’s driveway.
I stilled, lowering myself to the clay tiles, watching cautiously asmy carsuddenly appeared around the corner, followed by a black, familiar looking Hyundai SUV. Wellfuck a duck, someone had found my Mercedes and brought it to me. Looks like I’d be sending two stripper baskets tomorrow.
When they stopped, Dante stepped out of my car, then waited as the Hyundai SUV parked next to it. Once the car door opened, out popped the head of Avery Wailani.
Fuck two ducks, what the hell was Avery doing with Dante?
Avery grew up in the middle of King territory and even hung out with Dante when they were kids, just like me and Knight, but they had a big falling out in high school and had avoided each other since. Her father was from Japan and her mom from Hawaii, and the result was stunning, with gorgeous tan skin, almond shaped, multicolored eyes, and gorgeous cascading black hair.
Even though she’d grown up around the made men of the King territory, her family was deeply religious, and as soon as she was old enough, she became a cop for the city.
I was shocked to see her here, as she tried to avoid being seen with anyone associated with the mafia these days.
Knight stepped out to meet them, inviting them in and I hesitated, trying to figure out what to do.
So far, I was feeling fine, however I knew that the buprenorphine would wear off soon. But, I had to know what they were doing here.
After all, it was literally what I did: collect secrets.
After climbing back inside, I snuck down the bamboo hardwood stairs, gritting my teeth as I passed the artwork on the walls. Then, unable to pass them by without looking, I went back, pulling in a shuttering breath as I studied them.