Page 123 of Never Say Never

I didn’t want to.

"Last night was the scene of a massacre here at the docks. I'm told there are bodies littered all over the ground, most of them mutilated beyond recognition. There was also a fire. Most of the evidence has been destroyed, just like a few nights ago where some members of a local gang called the Triads were identified by their teeth. Organized crime is alive and well in New York City, and all fingers are pointing at one family. They call themselves philanthropists, but the FBI calls them murderers. The Vitale family has been under scrutiny since the fire that destroyed St. Mary's church months ago. Are these innocent men? Or are they dangerous criminals?"

I stared at the screen, my mouth slightly ajar as I watched the news anchor prattle on. In the background was the still smoking wreckage of the business buildings I had talked to Casey about. The camera panned, and I caught sight of him there as well. Obviously, the video had taken place early in the morning, before the sun was even up. Casey looked pissed, his face red as he spoke to camera about the criminals that he was going to bury under a federal prison.

My stomach tightened. He didn't. He wouldn't.

He would.

I kept trying to view Paolo like he was Paul, but he wasn't. There were bits of Paul here and there, or maybe that was always Gianpaolo and he was showing me who he really was. Either way, I couldn't keep pretending that he only had one side. He was a killer, a walking time bomb. I should have known when he left the other day that he was up to no good, but I'd been asleep and then immediately inundated in shit afterward. Putting out that fire had taken some time; calming the girls, reassuring Shelly, it was a lot. I hadn't even realized he'd tricked me into not leaving until I tried to go out the door and guards asked me to return to the suite. Firmly.

Yeah, I didn't love that.

Now, as I watched the damage that Gianpaolo, and no doubt his brothers, had brought to a rival gang, I stared in horror and anger. It was supposed to be my job to put these assholes away, but he'd taken that from me and slaughtered countless men as well. Gianpaolo was a Vitale through and through. This just proved it even more.

I was conflicted as I continued to watch. Yes, he was a bad guy, but part of me knew why he'd done it. He had told me that he wanted to protect me, and clearly, that was true. Yes, he'd gone about it in an insane way, but he really was looking out for me and my kids.

My phone buzzed and I glanced at it. Casey.

"Hello, Casey. I was just about to call you."

"Can you talk?"

I glanced around. The girls were in the kitchen at the table, Shelly dishing out PB&J's with a smile on her face. I couldn't believe Paolo had tried to kill her. He had always been on edge with her, but I knew Shelly was good at her job. After all, Dawn had chosen her. She'd always admired how sweet she was. There were times when I might have considered dating Shelly after Dawn passed, but I knew without a doubt that I was a hundred percent gay.

"York?"

I shook myself out of it. "Sorry. One second."

The girls had heard enough, I wanted them to be protected in more ways than one. Lately, they had been around for all of me and Paolo's shit. It wasn't good for them. I was already thinking up ways to apologize. Most of them involved late night movies and makeovers, lots of cake, and more hugs than I could possibly give in one night. I had to make it up to them.

As I stepped out of the apartment, Mitchel stopped me. "Where are you going, sir?"

"I'm taking a call. Is that all right with you?" I snapped.

"Yes, just please don't go far. Nik will follow you, but keep his distance to allow you privacy."

I stared at the man. How was I ever going to get used to being watched over like a child? I always moved on my own, protected myself, and kept my own shit together. Having a guard trail me day and night was odd. Oddly sweet and protective, but still odd.

"Fine." I sighed. "Stay back," I warned the man.

"Yes, sir," Nik said.

I walked down the hall and found myself in a stairwell. Nik hung back like he said he would. I lowered my voice.

"Okay, let's talk," I said, reminding myself that there was a Vitale soldier not that far away from me.

"Did you see the news?"

"How could I miss it?"

Casey swore under his breath. "How did the Vitales know they were there? Do you know?"

I knew exactly. Paolo had access to my phone. The password was stupidly the girls' birthday. It was changed now, but I couldn't believe that I had let him see that information. I only knew for sure because the message was there when I slid my notifications down and took a peek, but it was gone when I woke up. He'd used the information I was given to conduct an act of violence. Once more, I wondered how I could trust him if this was the kind of thing that happened when I let him in, even a little.

"No," I lied. "I have no clue. I thought my phone was secure, maybe it wasn't."

"Maybe not," he grunted. "Whatever, either way, it's too late now. When are you coming back to work? I know you've been shaken up by this case and all the danger you've been in, but we could use you in the office, York. You're smart, you're capable. And you know how to suss out bad guys." He paused. "I could use the help."