Page 32 of Black Sheep

Shrugging, I turn to the side, mirroring his body language and allowing myself a little more space. “Okay, ask away.”

“Where were you for the year in between leaving your aunt’s and turning up in Columbus?”

“In Columbus, I got a bus straight there.”

“But where were you living?”

“I thought it was my turn to ask a question?” I say, arching a brow at him.

Smirking, he waves his hand gesturing for me to go ahead.

“How old are you all?”

“I’m thirty-one, Lev and Dimi are thirty-two. Now answer my question.”

“Everywhere and nowhere.” I smirk.

“Be specific, if you start avoiding my questions, I’ll do the same,” he cautions.

“On the street, in bus depots, in alleys, under bridgesand in shelters when I could.” I shrug, because what else can I say? I was homeless. Everywhere and nowhere was probably as specific an answer as I can give him.

“Why?” he asks. “Why did you leave your aunt’s in the first place?”

“You’ll owe me two questions if I answer,” I warn him.

“Fine.” He relents, rolling his eyes.

“She handed me a hundred-dollar bill and a bus ticket when I turned eighteen. Back then I thought she was just a bitch who knew the state checks she’d been getting for looking after me were going to stop. Now I wonder if she knew who my mom was fucking when I was conceived and she assumed that, sooner or later, it’d bring trouble to her door.”

“That fucking bitch,” he says beneath his breath.

“My turn,” I say, tilting my head to the side, faking uncertainty over what to ask him. “Why is getting revenge on the Mafia so important to you?”

His sigh is audible. “We’re not looking for revenge.”

“If you’re not seeking revenge then what is all of this? You murdered the man you think is my dad, then kidnapped me with the sole purpose of using me to get access to the Mafia so you can destroy them.”

“They took from us, now we’re taking something back. It’s not revenge, more evening the score.”

Wow, murder and destruction is what they consider evening the score. “What are you going to do when the score is even? You said this vendetta dates back to when you were all young children. When you’ve killed them all and destroyed the rest, how will you fill your time?” I knowmy tone is snippier than I should allow it to be, but I can’t help it.

“I’m not sure,” he admits easily. “We could probably spend a few years pouring all of our obsessive tendencies into your luscious body.” He winks, smirking flirtatiously.

“No thanks.” Wrinkling my nose, I shake my head.

“You don’t think you’d enjoy three virile men pandering to your every need?”

“I’m sure you’ll be bored of me before the score is even.”

“Are we not your type, Baby? What kind of man do you go for?”

“I don’t have a type, men haven’t been on my radar,” I admit.

“Women?” he asks tartly, a slight furrow denting his brow.

“No, I’ve been busy surviving. I haven’t had a lot of time for romance.”

“Ahh.” His brow lifts and he smiles. “So, you’re looking to be romanced. We can do that, Baby, the three of us will treat you like a queen, bow down at your feet and feed from the nectar between your thighs.”