Page 68 of Liberated By Sin
“For one, it’s always wise to mind your business. And I suggest you open that door.”
The tension was suffocating, both rocking on the balls of our feet, ready to react.
“Have a nice day, Mr. Leone,” he said, releasing the button.
I walked past him, twisting around upon exiting. “Oh, by the way, cute kid.”
His hand clenched into a fist, and the elevator doors slipped closed as I took out my phone.
“Ash, I’m sending over some information once I get to my office. I need everything you can dig up on this guy.”
Without waiting for a response, I hung up and tore open my car door, dialing a different number as I peeled out of Amara’s parking garage.
“Si, I need a favor, brother.”
“He’s outside.” The voice was unfamiliar, but I knew who the boy was.
“Maksim, I’m a friend of Silas and Helena. Is either one of them around?”
Silence.
“Maksim?”
“He’s outside, and she’s upstairs with the baby.”
“Baby?”
“Valentina.”
The detective’s daughter. How ironic. My patience was razor thin, and I knew this kid was old enough to understand that he needed to take his ass to wherever Silas was and hand him the fucking phone.
“I’ll wait while you bring Silas his cell.”
I could have sworn I heard him grumble something under his breath.
Teenagers.
The boy remained silent, causing me to double-check if the line was still open. Unintelligible words finally filtered through, followed by hearty laughter.
“Santino.”
“It’s good to hear from you. Wasn’t sure I’d get through or not.”
“Maksim is still working on his people skills,” he said with another chuckle. “Sorry, Leni’s got me out here putting a castle playhouse together.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting them both, which is partly why I’m calling. I’m traveling to Philly in about two weeks…with a friend.”
“There it is—the thing you didn’t want to tell me that day in your office. I knew it.”
“There was nothing to tell.”
“But now there is.”
“Are you going to listen, or continue talking out of your ass?”
He barked a laugh. “What the fuck are you waiting for then?”
“This girl, she’s from Pennsylvania. That’s all I know. She’s under an alias and running from someone important. This has Six and Ares written all over it.”