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I give him a curt nod. “No need to call me sir.”
We ride the elevator in silence, and I catch him peeking at me. “Whose kid are you? How are we related?”
“Our dad is your uncle, your dad’s youngest brother.”
Your dad.Not sure how I feel about that.
It’s quiet for a beat, neither of us talkative. We kind of look alike—same wavy, thick, dark hair and athletic build, though I’m a few inches taller.
“What do you do for Rocco?” I ask to create conversation. “You seem young to work security.”
“Property management.” A smirk sneaks through his stoic expression. “Don’t worry, I’m twenty-four and can handle myself. Same with my brother. We’ve been working for Rocco for nine years, know every business and tenant.”
The elevator opens into a bare kitchen in desperate need of renovation—white walls and cupboards, cracked tile flooring, mismatched older appliances.
Dante steps forward and unlatches the lattice gate. “We have yet to remodel. The place came on the market, and we scooped it up. It’s spacious, got good bones. We’d been eyeing it for a while. We’ll gut the kitchen and move it to the open living area.”
“No, it’s great. Thank you for doing this. Have they been any trouble?”
There it is—a dimple on the left side. “Not at all. They’re a riot.”
Sitting at a table, a kid who can only be Desmond rises and shakes my hand. “Wow. You’re definitely a Rossi…” His beaming eyes dart to his scowling brother. “Sorry, that sounds stupid now that I say it out loud.”
“Thanks, I guess.” I smile genuinely. “How’s my girl? Any more pain?”
“Just once.”
“She’s on her feet a lot,” the more serious twin adds.
“That’ll end. Any other issues?”
They both exchange a glance, and Dante juts his chin, prompting Desmond to speak.
“We found bugs in Aurora’s apartment.”
I furrow my brows. I didn’t notice any when I was there. The place was clean. “Bugs? What kind of bugs?”
“The kind that listens in on people, not the creepy-crawly kind.”
They were listening in on us. I rack my brain for anything damning, but all we did was fuck and fight. Who knows about Jax? His mouth never shuts up, but I doubt he was yapping about Kyle.
I shrug, too tired to give it much thought tonight. “Good to know.”
Dante folds his arms over his chest. “Who’s he watching?” he asks, his tone hard and eyes dark.
He holds my gaze. It takes me a beat, but I get what he’s throwing down.
“Not you guys.”Or us?“Sorry. Jackson’s father. I'm not sure of the status of the investigation. I think they’re waiting for Jax’s trust to transfer.”
“Good to know,” he repeats.
“Tell me if it becomes an issue.” I hike my bag higher on my shoulder. “Where are they?”
Desmond gestures to the doorway leading out of the kitchen. “They’re in the only room on the right side.”
My pulse races with anticipation. I can’t wait to see her, to have her in my arms.
I quietly slip through the first door, but I should’ve known I couldn’t sneak in on Jax. I should’ve known he’d be a light sleeper and wouldn’t be keen on a large man entering their room.