Page 47 of Bound For You

Dimitri walks over to us and leans next to us, he clears his throat, and I begrudgingly take my eyes off Al, who is slowly slicing off the guy’s pinkie finger. The tape over his mouth is muffling his screams.

“How’s Avery?” he asks quietly. Damian tenses next to me, knowing this is one subject I don’t like to talk about, especially with all the shit he’s said and done against Avery.

I shrug. “She’s okay.” That’s all I’m willing to give.

He sighs. “We are sorry, son. We were just worried about you, that’s all, then she runs from you and all we see is your hurt, pain, and anger. We blamed her.”

I nod; I know he loves me, Maria too, but Avery is my everything. He should have come to me with his concerns, not attempt to sort it himself.

I murmur, “I just need time.”

He nods and pats my shoulder, then watches Al, who has moved from the guy’s pinkie, and is now slicing his ear off.

I chuckle, then push myself from the wall and walk over to them. Al stands back, smirking, while the guy’s eyes find mine and he pales. Good. He knows who I am and that he should be scared.

I pull the tape off of his mouth and smile. “What’s your name?” I inquire in a cold voice.

He stutters, pain lacing his voice, “A-Adam.”

I grunt, then state, “Well, Adam, my friend here got a little carried away. All we want to know is who has taken over as Don. You tell us the truth and we let you go, you lie and, well, what he’s doing to you will be child’s play compared to what I can do.” He pisses himself. I hear the other three chuckle, but I don’t change my expression. I wait.

“V-Vasiliki Gheada. He w-was Mihai’s nephew o-on his m-mothers side.”

I smile when he finally gets his words out, and I ask politely, “And where can we find him?”

He trembles, his eyes trying to stay focused, ready to pass out, but just before he does, he says, “Fordham, in t-the East Bay Apartments. S-second floor.”

I stand up, pull my gun from its shoulder holster, and shoot him in the forehead. It’s a kinder death for him; I was never going to let him go. His job was to scout underage kids, so can’t have him back on the streets.

I turn, and all three men are smiling.

Damian says, “Good job, Serg. He refused to talk to Al. Dad’s just got a confirmation text from upstairs. The guy was telling the truth. We’ll monitor Gheada for a few weeks, keep intercepting his product, then we’ll strike. Let him think we still have no idea.”

I smile and nod. “Right. I’m going to shower, then I’ve got to go.”

An hour later, I’m leaning against my car, waiting for my girl. Everyone looks at me, but I ignore them. I check my watch again; she’s a little late coming out. I feel someone standing beside me, and I glance over to see that Melanie chick glaring at me. Huh, that’s knew.

She sticks her finger in my face and sneers, “You hurt her again, and I’ll be your biggest fucking nightmare.” Then she turns and walks away, leaving me with my mouth hanging open. Since when does she stick up for someone other than herself?

I hear a small giggle and turn to see Avery standing there. She’s biting her lip, trying to keep her laughter in but failing. Her hair is down today, her makeup is minimal like always, and she’s showing off her bump in a tank top and jeans. She’s wearing a jacket over her top, probably to hide her scars. She looks radiant.

I raise a brow at her. “You two besties now?”

She smiles and says, “Actually, kind of. She’s been a good friend. Turns out we have a lot in common.”

I smirk and push myself off of my car to grab her bag. “I’ll believe that when I see it,dragotsennyy.”

I lean forward and kiss her forehead, then open the door for her. She smiles at me and gets in. Once I’m in and I’ve started the car, I look at her to find her already watching me. I tilt my head and wait, knowing she wants to ask me something.

She sighs a little and asks quietly, “Could we maybe stop at the pizzeria on the way to my apartment?”

I give her smile. “What are you craving this time, baby?”

She smirks at me, and I know I’m about to cringe. “Pepperoni, cheese, and pineapple—all on the same pizza.” I gag and she laughs aloud.

Shaking my head, I put the car into gear, and pull out onto the road.

“Baby, that’s just…no.” She laughs louder, making me smile. Fuck, I missed that sound. Glad to have a bit more time with her, I sigh and say, “What my girl wants, my girls gets, even if itisfucking disgusting.” She giggles and it has to be the most beautiful sound in the world. I’m feeling even better when I realize she didn’t correct me on the “my girl” stuff.