Page 40 of A Murder of Crows

Ikeep my head down in training the next morning.

My stomach churns, demanding food, but I shove it down and focus on running. I skipped breakfast, too exhausted from a sleepless night to risk a showdown I might not win in my current, sleep-deprived condition.

A shame that I can’t actually run away from my problems, but I’ll give it a damn good go. I steadfastly ignore the looks slanted my way from both Dante and Luciano. Stefano doesn’t even look up when I snag the treadmill next to his, and for once I revel in his silence.

At least Dom’s not here, although I have no doubts he’ll be waiting by the door when I leave.

Even Vito leaves me alone this morning, choosing to bellow insults at Dante and Luc instead as they run through a weights routine.

I check my phone again, but there’s nothing. No reply from Amie, and nothing from my father. I’ve tried to call several timesthis morning, each one sent to voicemail until I finally gave up. My stomach churns again, another headache forming behind my eyes.

He’s ignoring me. Even Aldo isn’t picking up my calls, and the thought of what might be happening at home makes the pain even worse.

Slowing the machine, I wait for it to stop before I sag, resting my head on the railing. A full bottle of water slides into my view, and I glance over to where Stefano is packing his stuff away. “Thanks.”

Breaking the seal, I swig it down gratefully, chasing the nausea away until my stomach feels uncomfortably full.

It could be nothing. My father is a busy man, after all.

But he always made time for you before, the bitchy little voice in my head whispers.

Before I disappointed him. Before he started raising hisconcerns.

Dom slips inside as I pack my own shit up, and I wait until the room is clear. “I need you to go home and check on things.”

I already know he’s going to argue. Sinking down onto a bench, I roll the water across my forehead, chasing the ache away.

“I’m not leaving you.”

His tone is non-negotiable, but I’m not budging.

“I’m not asking. I’mtellingyou, Domenico. Vincent can take over for a day or two. We can put extra people on the rota. The Morellis will help. But I want you there. Feel things out.”

“Cat.” He sounds torn.

“Something is wrong.” I don’t look at him. “Something’s going on, Dom, and I can’t focus until I know. I have to know, and there is nobody else. You know there’s not.Please.”

He sinks down next to me. “Two days. Two days, and I’ll be back, Cat. Tell me you can last two damn days.”

I blow out a breath. “I can last two days.”

Maybe.

“I mean it.” He looks at me, really looks at me. Like he’s examining my soul.

Like he might never see me again.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I mumble.

“Like what?”

Like I mean something.

“Like you’re saying goodbye,” I say instead. “Have faith in me, Dom.”

His hand slides across my cheek, cupping it and tilting it towards him.

“I will always have faith in you, Caterina Corvo. You wouldn’t be my endgame if I didn’t.”