Page 19 of Mafia Love

“Intel got eyes on him that led out to the main road. We lost him after that.”

“Could have gone anywhere. That route diverts to anywhere.” Shit. This was complete shit.

I’d searched the old district with Saul and Giorgio, one of the Galioni guys. We’d come up with nothing.

I was sitting in a bar downtown now, regrouping. It was nearly midday. The bars were just opening, and this was one I used to come to all the time.

“I’ll keep looking and let you know if we come up with anything.”

“Thanks.”

“And don’t worry. We’ll stay here as a unit. I don’t know if today was a scare tactic, or if he was trying to lure us out.”

“It’s part of the game.” He was there to remind us that we couldn’t catch him. Asshole.

“Great, well, you know him more than I do.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Claudius.”

“Speak later.” He hung up.

I didn’t have a chance to catch my breath before someone ran soft fingers over the back of my neck.

“Well, look who it is. My boy’s returned.”

I turned to see Maria. I guess I could have called her my on-again, off-again ex-girlfriend who’d been with me for the last couple of years.

I straightened on the stool and twisted, so I was facing her.

“Hey, how’ve you been?” My pulse quickened. It felt weird being in her presence.

“Really?” She raised her brows and gazed at me through her bright blue eyes. She had a slight tan, and it made her white blond hair look more striking. She was beautiful and the kind of woman I’d basically used because I knew she would always be available to me.

“Yes, really.”

“Good, I suppose. You haven’t called me in a while. I heard you found someone new.”

God, I wasn’t in the mood for this, but I kind of felt the time would creep up on me.

“Maria, look…”

She held up both hands and shook her head. “It’s okay. We weren’t exactly anything, even if I thought we were.”

Maybe it was the fact that I’d had to tame my wildness for Amelia, but as I looked at the woman before me who I’d treated like nothing, I truly, truly felt like a complete bastard. A son of a bitch, literally, who’d acted like an asshole to her.

“I’m sorry. You deserve better.”

She laughed. “That’s a good one, but look at me. I’m the girl men use. You know first-hand, right? I bounce from one job to another, not really knowing what I’m doing with myself. It’s cool though. One day, I’ll know.”

“Maria, you don’t have to live like that.”

“Well, it comes in handy sometimes. Come here.” She smiled and crooked her finger. I leaned closer hoping like hell she wasn’t going to kiss me because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings any more than I had.

She slipped her arms around my neck and nuzzled her face against mine.

“Maria, I am with someone else, and—”

“Relax, lover boy. I’m helping you. Put your arm around me.”