Chapter 2 #2
“Screw you, Gio,” I spit and turn around, not even waiting for a reply.
I just stalk back across the grass toward my car.
I sense Sage keeping up with me, and while I’m grateful he chose to come with me, I’m thankful he keeps quiet.
We’re on the road and heading back to the fortress before he even thinks of breaking the silence.
I’ve been stewing in my anger, half wanting to ask him to turn around so I can take care of my brother once and for all, but I know I would regret it if I did something like that while I was mad.
“Are you okay?” he asks quietly. “Do you want to talk about what just happened, or should I take your mind off everything?” he suggests, and his hand slides onto my knee and gives it a squeeze.
I know he’s trying to distract me, but in the mood I’m in, it could be dangerous for him, and I know he doesn’t like pain.
“No. I’m really not. You should probably stay far away from me for a little while. I’m afraid I don’t have the kind of control I normally do, and I wouldn’t want to accidentally hurt you.”
“What can I do? How can I fix this for you? You didn’t get to cut anyone at the club?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“No, I hadn’t even started the session when we were interrupted, and I discovered that my new favorite sub was Colton.
I can’t believe I did the things I did to him.
” I blush as I remember our last session.
The memory of his blood and cum still haunts me, and at times, I find myself craving the taste.
The possibilities that come to mind now that I know I was enjoying Colton are limitless, but I need to resist. The good thing about the club was the anonymity involved, though I can’t deny having someone to cut at my beck and call is tempting.
I don’t like that they now have one more thing they know about me that others don’t.
Sage shakes his head. “I can’t believe they keep turning up at places we frequent coincidentally.” He puts his hand back on the wheel as I tap my fingers against the door, twitchy as fuck from my confrontation with Gio.
“Hmm,” I muse, staring outside. “I had the same thought, but how did they know I was a member of that club? It’s anonymous, and the rest of it is Gio’s doing.” I growl my brother’s name.
“I really thought you were going to pull your gun out and pop a cap in his ass when he implied you weren’t good for anything but an arranged marriage,” Sage says carefully, and when I turn my head, he’s glancing between me and the road, a worried frown creasing his brow.
I grunt. “The only thing that stopped me was there were so many police officers around. Gio can thank the local police department for the fact that he is still breathing. He’s lost sight of what is important, and I don’t think he’s fit to be the head of the Russo family anymore.
I can’t believe he implied I’m only good for marriage.
He knows how I feel about that and that Dad didn’t want that for me. ”
Sage is silent, and when I look at him, he’s frowning, his eyes on the road as he purses his lips.
“What, you don’t agree?”
He sighs loudly. “I don’t disagree that he’s not focused on the business, but has he really lost sight of what’s important? It seems like maybe he’s putting his happiness first, and isn’t that what matters?”
“Please,” I scoff. “Our happiness was never going to matter. Remember the family motto, Sage.” I tap the tattoo on my body. “Blood, honor, and valor. None of that implies we need to be happy. Family first, and that doesn’t mean flesh and blood family, but the organization. Gio has forgotten that.”
“Maybe, or maybe he’s just realized there are more important things in life,” Sage replies quietly.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I demand.
“You’re in a weird mood. If you really feel like that, why don’t you turn the car the fuck around, and I’ll leave you to play happy family with them while I get on with business.
I’m sure they will be thrilled to have you.
” I’m pissed at his words, but deep down, I know it probably has to do with the fact that he isn’t wrong.
That isn’t something I’m going to admit to at the moment though.
I’m also jealous. Does he want to be with them more than he wants to be with me?
They can probably give him a more normal relationship, even though there are four of them, which is more than I will ever be able to.
“Nothing,” he says quietly before shaking his head and grinning at me with a wink.
“Just playing devil’s advocate. Now what are we going to do about Gio and your raging bloodlust?
I think fratricide might still be a bit extreme, even for you.
You’d end up regretting it once your bloodlust cooled.
” The tension in the car lowers at his playfulness, but my body is still wound tightly as can be.
“Don’t be so sure,” I mutter as he pulls into the fortress gates.
“I need to get out of town for a few days. I can’t be anywhere near him, otherwise we may come to blows.
Hopefully he’ll come to his senses, and he’ll see that bringing them home would not be in anyone’s best interest.” Sage looks at me doubtfully.
Pfft, who am I kidding? I don’t even believe the words coming out of my mouth.
“Sure, we moved the chemistry lab, but we still have your weed warehouse underground, and shipments of arms and ammunition come through on a regular basis. It isn’t something we could hide from people living in the house twenty-four seven.
They would end up wondering where you, Suzy, Ben, and I keep disappearing to. He will realize that, right?”
Sage mutters something under his breath that I don’t hear. Ugh, Gio is such a fucking asshole. If I hang around, I’ll probably end up doing something I will regret.
“Pack a bag. We aren’t staying. We will head up to Seattle to check out the Lucky Diamond and Kitty Kat, then we’ll make our way back down the coast. I want to know how many places Lorenzo has gotten his hooks into.
We’ll be subtle and blend in. We aren’t as familiar in the other places as we are in San Jose and Vegas, so let’s see if we can figure out anything more about the trafficking ring we can share with the agent.
It would also help if we could figure out what happened to his sister.
Before we go, though, we will check out the club here.
Arrange to send Candy to San Jose to fill in for Stella and promote Lacey. ”
Sage grimaces. “I’ll call Sam and Dean and let them know we’re on the move.”
“Have Sam tell the pilots to submit a number of flight plans. I don’t want anyone too certain on where we are going. I’d like to keep these trips on the down-low as much as possible.”
“How about we send the main jet to Cancun or something? Make it look like you’re taking a few days in the sun, and then charter something under one of our aliases,” Sage suggests.
“And who says you’re just a pretty face?” I blow him a kiss, forgiving him for everything. I need someone in my corner, and being mad at him for pointing out the possible truth is not going to help.
His eyebrows draw inward in confusion. “People say I’m just a pretty face? I’m a fucking genius,” he grumbles under his breath as the gates open after he waves at the guard who pokes his head out to have a look.
I smile for the first time tonight. I’m truly grateful to have Sage in my life.