Page 76 of The Pretender

A smile tugs at my lips. “You’re a tough one.”

“I don’t have a choice.” She exhales in a huff. “I never thought you would get involved with this stuff after what happened to our folks.”

“It’s not what you think. I swear. I had a plan, but it got away from me. I’ll fix it.”

“If you say so. Let me know when it’s safe again.”

“I will.”

She ends the call and I slump into the nearby armchair. It’s been years since I’ve heard her voice and that wasn’t the reunion I hoped for. Vin found my sister. He knew that was how he could get me to come out of the shadows. Now I’ve got two weeks or less to figure out how to get them off my back.

“Everything okay?”

I startle when Nonna speaks, forcing a smile to my face. “Yes.”

She sits across from me, a kind smile on her lips. “I overheard you on the phone. You’re in trouble.”

I shake my head. “No. Just a misunderstanding. I’ll call my boss in the morning and work it out.”

She nods, but her gaze pins me in place. “Not all bosses are reasonable. True?”

I swallow hard. “True.”

“What happens when they come here? What happens to Amadeo?”

My jaw drops as I replay my conversation with my sister. I don’t think I said anything overly incriminating, did I?

“I’ve been around the block a few times.” She’s still smiling. “If you need help, you should tell us, but if you do something to hurt my grandson, well, you won’t like me very much anymore.”

I’m stunned speechless. Sweet little Nonna just threatened me. My lips move, but no words come out.

“Well?”

Clearing my throat, I sit up a little straighter. “I care about Deo.”

“Obviously. That’s why he could be in danger if yourbossfigures it out.”

“He, um, doesn’t know where I’m at.”

“But he got to someone you care about?”

“My sister.”

“There aren’t a lot of bosses who track down family members when they just want to talk.”

I shake my head. “No.”

She stands, staring me down. “I assume you know what you’re doing, but you aren’t alone. I could help. Does Deo know?”

Filled with shame, I shake my head.

“I didn’t think so.”

“I won’t let him get hurt. Any of you. I’ll leave.”

“You’ll break his heart. Especially when he hears your boss retired you. Permanently.”

A shiver moves down my spine. How the hell does this sweet old lady know what I’m dealing with?