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“If I untie you, are you going to try and restrain me?” Silver asks point blank. “I don’t want to have to harm Quinn’s father.”
He laughs into a growl. “You may be in better shape, but I’ll maul you to fucking death.”
Silver laughs back.
I swear they’re getting along in some man-speak that should be left to the cave dwellers of our ancestors. But whatever works, right?
Silver whips out a switch blade and cuts the ropes at his wrists, then his legs. He takes a step back.
The moment is silent, and there’s a second where I hold my breath. Dad could charge Silver now, and even though Dad’s a bear, I’m afraid that might be the end of him. Silver is a certified killer.
Don’t do it.
Don’t—
Dad looks at Silver with a grin, then offers his hand for me to grab. He pulls me into the most comforting hug I’ve ever had.
Oh, thank God.
His warm musky smell is the same as when he would come home from an all-night shift. His big arms really are like a bear’s. I’m home again, for this instant… and it’s all because of Silver.
Chapter 20
Arosso
I consigned myself to death today. Letting Captain Patrick Dall see me was the first real step toward the end.
Pacing upstairs in the stage house while the Dalls have a family reunion in the cellar is all I can do right now. That, andthink.
Killing the captain has been off the table since I first laid eyes on Quinn. I’m a changed man, in the worst way. Twenty years ago, there’d be a wake of corpses on all sides. Bratva. Police.Anythingto protect the Valentino family—even if we were scum back then.
Now here I am, protecting a young woman I hardly know, risking it all just so she can live.
One thing’s for sure… the Russians won’t stop ’til they get their payment.
I grab a can of soda and check my watch. An hour should be long enough for their catch-up. Time to bring Patrick his sugar and get to work.
As I walk down the stairs, genuine laughter reaches my ears. I cringe when realizing both of them have the same hearty laugh. Terrifying.
“Am I interrupting?” I ask, watching Patrick lean back on a dresser while still stretching out his legs, and Quinn sitting on the floor like she’s at a picnic.
“Nah, you’re alright, Valentino.”
“Let’s keep the name usage to a minimum, hm?” I say.
“I call him Silver.” Quinn smiles ear-to-ear, shooting me a private look.
“Can see why.” Patrick holds up his hand to catch the soda I toss to him.
I’m leaning against the wall, keeping a bit of distance so not to intrude. “Time to talk plan.”
“Booo. Ruining all the fun.” Quinn is so giddy I hardly recognize her.
I get it. I’d be a different man too if my family suddenly sprung back to life in a basement somewhere. It’s good to see her happy. That’s the whole point of this fucking situation anyway, isn’t it?
“What are you thinking?” Patrick asks.
“That you’re lucky it’s cold out. If you want some fresh air, we’ll bundle you up good so no one will recognize you. Otherwise, it’d be pretty hard to hide a six-foot mountain of a man like yourself,” I scoff. “And you.” I look at Quinn, doing my best to keep my gaze hard and cold. “You’re a missing person now, so we’ll need to get you a wig at the least.”