Page 106 of Ravage God

He didn’t say anything for a moment. “It’s just been a while since you’ve called me to drive you places.”

I looked out the window. “I didn’t need to go anywhere lately.”

He grunted but didn’t respond to that.

I let out a small sigh. “I can hear you thinking up front.”

“I can’t tell if you’re lying to me or not.”

I crossed my arms, not knowing what to say to that. Technically, Tommaso was my bodyguard. But Dad didn’t allow him in the house because Valentino hired him and was loyal only to Valentino, and mostly because Dad didn’t want Tommaso to witness anything happening inside his house.

So I only called for Tommaso when I needed him.

“Either you’re holing yourself up in that house all the time, which I don’t think is good for you, or you’re sneaking out again. Either scenario is bad.”

I didn’t respond to him. While he might have my best interests at heart, I knew his loyalty to Valentino was greater than his loyalty to me.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

He let out a small sigh as he pulled up to the house.

I looked at the monstrosity in front of me, internally groaning, when I noticed the Valachi’s car and driver in the front. I might be lucky, and it was just Aldo visiting Dad, but somehow, I didn’t think that was the case.

“I know you think I’m here to report your every move to your brother. But I don’t always have to do that.”

I looked back at him in surprise. Was he… suggesting he would lie to Valentino for me?

He stared back at me pointedly.

I nodded and shot him a small smile.

He stopped me when I had my hand on the car door handle. “Do you remember what I asked you to do that first day we met?”

I tried to think back to it. We met when I was eighteen and was about to start college. Tommaso was Valentino’s way of easing his mind while I went off to an unknown place—unknown to him, at least.

“You asked me to have your number memorized.”

“And do you still remember it?”

It took a second for me to recall the ten-digit number, and I recited it back to him.

He nodded his approval. “Good.”

“You know I also have your number saved in my phone.”

“Good to know. But there might come a time when you don’t have your phone with you and need to call for help. You can call me at any hour of the day. I will pick up, no matter what. Okay?”

“Okay,” I repeated. “But I think you are overreacting a little.”

He didn’t say anything. Just gave me a pointed look.

I mock-saluted him and opened the door, getting out. I couldn’t see him through the window, considering it was tinted dark, but I knew he was watching me. I smiled and waved at him before making my way to the front door, dreading the moment I would be back inside. A part of me wanted to get back in the car and have Tommaso drive me somewhere—anywhere.

He was still here. It wasn’t too late. He never leaves until I am inside the house.

I didn’t go back to the car. I opened the front door and stepped inside, taking in the huge space around me, feeling as if there was something insidious growing in the pit of my stomach. Right away, I could hear sounds coming from the living room. I walked over, knowing I couldn’t just sneak into my room without somehow triggering Dad’s anger.

I found Dad laughing with Aldo, who had brought Chiara along with him.