Page 81 of The Enforcer

“Carina?”

“Frankie’s daughter,” Nova filled in, looking uncomfortable.

“Oh, I didn’t know her name.” Romeo looked embarrassed by it. “I’m glad she’s nice. You’ve been spending time with her?”

“She’s cool to hang with. She’s funny.” Tino laughed when he remembered the tattoos. “She’s sort of different.”

“Very different,” Nova agreed with wide eyes. “She’s spoiled, but Tino likes her. So whatever.”

“And she’s got this best friend. She’s an awesome dancer,” Tino went on, because he was really looking for things to keep him from breaking down and telling Romeo everything. “She’s kind of cute. Brianna. The friend.”

Romeo grinned at him. “You like her?”

Tino shrugged.

“Stay busy, Tino,” Romeo said solemnly. “Stay outta trouble. Promise me. I worry about you with them. I spend every night staring at the top of my bunk worrying.”

“You’re worried about me?” Tino gestured to himself and then glanced at Nova.

“I already promised him,” Nova said without meeting Tino’s gaze. “I promised him the first day in here that I wouldn’t get caught up in their bullshit.”

Tino was silent for a long time, because he realized that promise was the reason why Nova made such a stand against Frankie.

It was the reason Tino ended up in the basement.

“You can’t let them suck you in,” Romeo went on. “Don’t let them sell you their bullshit. The money. The power. It’s not worth it. You have to trust me on this.”

Tino raised his eyebrows at that.

Like it was a fucking choice.

Did Romeo honestly think Tino and Nova could just decide not to buy into the bullshit?

Nova stepped on Tino’s foot.

So Tino nodded and said, “I promise.”

“Do your dance team. Go to the Dyker Heights dojo,” Romeo went on. “Stay outta trouble, piccolo.”

“I don’t want anyone to call me that anymore,” Tino said before he could stop himself.

Romeo pulled back in confusion. “Call you what?”

“Piccolo,” Nova answered for him. “He says he’s not a baby. Weknowhe’s not a baby.” He looked at Tino and whispered, “Ma called you piccolo, Valentino.”

“Ma’s dead,” Tino snapped, making Romeo and Nova flinch. “She’s dead, and we’re here, and I don’t want to be called that anymore.”

“You’re not okay,” Romeo said knowingly. “Why are you so thin, Valentino?”

“’Cause Nova’s cooking sucks.”

“You look sick,” Romeo pressed with the harsh glare of a man who had once changed his diapers. “What is going on with you?”

For one long moment Tino considered telling Romeo. Instead he asked, “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on in here?” Tino gestured around. “Do you like jail? You’re the biggest guy here. It can’t be that bad, right?”

“No one likes jail.” Romeo seemed haunted all of a sudden. “Why do you think I’m telling you to stay out of trouble?”

“You have a roommate?” Tino asked, even though he knew Romeo didn’t. “Is he cool?”