Chapter 4
Sebastian
Obviously, news of what they’re blaming me for hasn’t reached Nate’s neck of the woods.
And why is she with me?
Who the fuck does this asshole think he is?
I’ve noticed the way he stares at Mia, like she’s a prime rib and he hasn’t eaten in centuries. It pisses me off. I know I have no claim over Mia. She’s a woman I shouldn’t think about in any way other than she’s the daughter of my friend. Of my business partner. Of the man I admire.
I would do nothing to betray his trust.
Maybe it’s the protectiveness I feel toward Mia that has me acting like a grizzly werewolf ready to rip this guy from limb to limb.
Whatever the case may be, I know this asshole is as high as a kite. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Nate has had one too many bumps of coke, or hits of meth, or whatever shit he’s tweaking on right now.
Why is she with me?
“She’s with me because I’m the only one in this world who can keep her safe.” I puff out my chest a bit, feeling like a master of the universe ready to pummel this guy into the gravel. Just call me Thor. Or Captain America.
“Safe?” Nate acts scared for Mia, and yes, I say ‘acts’ because this guy has no clue which way is up right now. “Are you in trouble?” He reaches out a hand to rest on top of Mia’s knee.
I stiffen in my seat, making sure I answer before Mia spills the beans. “She’s fine. But she’s also the daughter of a very wanted and hated man. A man who has many enemies throughout the world, so Mia shouldn’t go gallivanting around the world by herself.” I cross my arms. “But you should know all of this already.”
Like a light bulb goes off over his head, Nate smiles. “Mia, stay here with me.”
Over my dead body.
She takes a moment to answer. “Well, hmm.” She looks like she’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, not sure which place she’d rather stay.
“She’s staying with me,” I clear up for them in a voice that leaves no room for debate. “Nate, do you think this number is the safe deposit box number?”
Nate taps the paper in his hand. “It is. And I have the key.” He bounds from the couch, rushing into the kitchen.
I glance at Mia and together we follow him into the small galley kitchen, where he rummages through cabinets and drawers.
“It’s around here somewhere.”
“Why would you have Oliver’s key?” I cross my arms over my chest.
Nate stops his search, glancing over his shoulder. “Oliver and I were into many types of businesses together.”
“What’s in the box?” Mia asks, taking the words right out of my mouth.
We both stare at Nate, who shrugs his shoulders.
“Fuck if I know.” He opens another drawer and pulls out a gold key. “Here it is.” He’s about to hand off the key to Mia, but then retracts his hand. “What’s in it for me?”
Of course, this high motherfucker wants something for himself. He’s a miserable human being and I see now why Georgio fired him.
“What do you want?” Mia asks him.
His eyes rake over her tight body, probably imagining things he has no right imagining. “Well…”
Before he can finish his answer, I cut in, “Don’t even think about it. What about money?”
Nate laughs. “I’ve got money.”
I offer the other thing that can be more valuable than currency between the mafia. “What about information?”
His eyes light up with curiosity. “What do you have?”
“Bishop Blackstone resurfaced and is coming for all his enemies.”
It’s as if Nate sobers up instantly. “How can you be so sure?”
“Dean caught wind of his return on the airwaves.”
“What does that even mean? Where is Bishop?” Nate’s a little erratic, worried, and I know he’s not happy about hearing Bishop’s back on the hunt.
Bishop has many enemies, and anyone tied to the Four Families is high on the list.
“Last seen in Zanzibar, working on getting stateside soon.”
“The bank is in the Futian District in Shenzhen.” He hands Mia the key.
“China?” Mia asks, taking the key from his hand and rolling it around in her palm to look at it.
“Do you know where Oliver is?” I ask.
Nate shrugs. “Last I heard he was roaming around Anzio.”
Ahh, Oliver’s gone to Italy, most likely hiding away with his family.
Nate smiles. “I heard a lot of people are after you right now.”
I tense, my lips pursing, hoping Mia doesn’t ask questions. “I’m fine.” I want to get out of this shit hole, and now. “Thanks for your help.”
“Wait a minute,” Nate wags his finger at me, “I heard you did the families dirty.”
What the fuck is with this guy? It’s like his memory comes back the more he sobers up. I almost wish he’d do another hit of whatever drugs he took before we arrived.
“What families?” Mia asks, stepping closer to Nate.
“Come on, Mia. Let’s go.” I reach my hand out, hoping I can hoard her toward the door.
“The Four Families?” Her eyes go wide when I don’t answer right away.
Nate laughs, putting an arm around Mia, which makes me angry. Red is the only color I see right now, and I try not to let it bother me. But it bothers me. It fucking bothers me bad. Jealousy is not my strong suit, and I don’t like the way Nate has been toward Mia since we first showed up here in this dump.
“Mia, it’s complicated.”
“I heard,” the man with apparently all the intel in the world says, wagging his finger again in my face, which I’m tempted to break off, “you’ve been taking a lot off the top.”
The fact Nate has already heard the news means I’m not as ahead of this thing as I hoped I’d be.
“Mia, let’s go.” It’s no longer a request. I grab her by the arm, wrapping my fingers around her tiny bicep. “Thanks for your help, Nate.”
I rush Mia out the door, moving her in tandem along with me. She tries to get a word out now and then, but I’m not trying to hear it. Until she says, “Let go of me. I want to go back home. If you’re a wanted man, there’s no way you’ll be able to hide from the Four Families for too long.”
We get to the bottom of the stairs and I push her up against the wall. Her breathing picks up, her chest rising and falling way too fast.
“Let’s get one thing straight here, Mia.” I’m so close to her. Our noses almost touch.
She licks her lips and for one second, and I forget all the words I want to tell her right now.
“You’re not here of your own free will. You’re mine and you’re going to help me get what I need.”
“What do you need?” she asks.
I stare into those beautiful eyes of hers, half-tempted to say, you. But I tell her, “You’re going to help me clear my name.”