She might be young, but she’s mature. Her face is not stuck in her phone, and I never see her taking selfies like other girls her age. The way she took care of my hands the other night and the way she is with Leo shows her caring nature, which is hard to find these days. From our nighttime talks, I know that she has had a lot to look after in her life; her drug-addicted mother just one of those things. I haven’t told her about Angelina yet, and I’m not sure that I will. But I know dealing with that kind of shit from family makes you grow up real quick.

“You know, Leo, you have the best laugh. I can’t wait to hear you laugh some more. If I had known how funny it would be to see me eat a sundried tomato, I would have done it sooner!” He smiles back at her, and it’s a beautiful sight.

She seems genuinely interested in Leo and spending time with him, as I listen to her babble on for the next few moments before entering the room.

“Hey, buddy,” I say as I walk over to where he is sitting and squat next to him. “I need to go to work, and I may not be back before bedtime, so I will check on you later, okay?” He nods and leans toward me, and I give him a small hug. Standing, I turn and walk toward Little Red, looking down at her as she remains crossed-legged on the floor.

“I’ll be home late tonight.” She smiles, nodding in understanding. Before I realize what I am doing, I bend down and grab her chin, lifting it so I can capture her lips. The move surprises both of us. I kiss her quickly before I walk out of the room and back down the hall, not waiting for her to reply.

Feeling settled at home for the first time in years, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders as I push out the front door and make my way to the basement. As I walk down the corridors, my stride builds in momentum and my anger starts to grow as my thoughts refocus on what awaits me today. As I put my game face on, the adrenalin rises through my veins.

Federico will meet his maker tonight, of that there is no doubt.

14

Dante

Carter and I have been sitting in the car outside Allure all fucking afternoon. My ass is numb, my teeth are sore from my grinding, and my mind has been a mix of capturing these assholes and dreaming about Little Red in my bed. Now as the clock ticks close to ten, and the pitch-black of the evening covers us, we make the decision to go inside.