CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: WINTER
AsEnzopullsthe car up to the port, I rub at my sore arm. My fingers brush over the marks left from Giovanni and my jaw clenches.
I’ve never felt more sexually frustrated in my life and I hate it.
I knew Giovanni was serious when he said he’d find out if I got myself off, so I’d cleaned the mess he made with the torn-up tank top and gone to sleep.
When Enzo came to my room this morning, he’d had a new t-shirt for me to wear, placing it just inside of my door without actually looking at me. At this point, I can’t remember who has and hasn’t seen me naked, but I’d been thankful for the small gesture.
And when I came out of my room to finish getting ready, I’d tried to act like last night hadn’t happened.
Which is also what Giovanni is going to do from the way he’s ignore me the whole car ride.
I glance out of the window as movement catches my eye. I squint when I find a familiar blonde standing in the middle of the port, looking at our car.
“How do you have the FBI in your pocket?” I ask, continuing to watch Cressida.
Funny how I thought running to the FBI when I get out of here was even an option, when clearly Giovanni has even them at his beck and call.
“I don’t have them in my pocket,” he grunts out, stuffing his phone into his pocket. “We have an understanding, and right now, I’m not their biggest worry. But if bullshit keeps happening at the club, and around us, it’ll be a different story.”
“Stop there,” he tells Enzo, pointing at a parking spot that’s not too far from where Cressida is standing.
Enzo parks the car and he gets out, opening Giovanni’s door before moving to mine. I step out, wrapping my arms around myself when a slight breeze blows through the air.
“Enzo, stay behind,” Giovanni orders. “Winter, you come with me.”
Enzo climbs back into the car and I follow behind Giovanni as he makes his way over to Cressida. Her gaze snaps right to us and the frown that curves her lips downward make same wonder if they truly have some kind of understanding, or if Giovanni is just delusional.
“Giovanni,” she says, her gaze moving over to me, “Giovanni’s friend.” She folds her arms over her chest before returning her gaze to the man himself. “You’ve got some explaining to do.”
Giovanni strokes a thumb across his lips and the agent follows the movement.
So, maybe she doesn’t hate him as much as it appears.
“There’s nothing to explain,” he tells her shortly.
“So, you had nothing to do with the scene on Brexton Avenue last night,” she asks.
“I didn’t say that,” he corrects her. “I just said I didn’t explain it because I don’t need to. You didn’t find me at the crime scene, so as far as I’m concerned, we don’t need to discuss it. We have more pressing matters.”
“And what matters are those?”
“I’m going to put an end to this thing with the Ramos this week.”
“Oh really?” she asks, raising a brow.
“Yes, I have a location on Luis and I’m going to make my move before he can escape. The fucker has stayed in the shadows while he sends his men out to wreak havoc on my life. Well, he’s all out of places to run.”
“If you have his address, then why not give it to me and let me solve this whole thing without the body count rising.”
Giovanni barks out a humorless laugh. “Cressida, we both know that if the FBI obtained Luis Ramos he’d be out of jail and in WITSEC in a week, while one of his gooneys calls the shots.” He shakes his head. “There’s no way in hell I’m going to let the FBI screw this up.”
Her jaw clenches and she peers out at the ocean for a moment before turning to look back at Giovanni. She lets out a long sigh. “Then what’s the point of this meeting?”
“It’s to give you a warning not to interfere with what’s about to go down. The department already knows to steer clear, but I don’t need you or your agency poking your nose in my business at the last minute. And once this shit’s over, you need to pack up and get the fuck out of my city. There’s nothing else here that concerns you.”
“As long as you’re here, this city will always concern my agency,” she tells him and she must have balls of steel because she steps up to him in challenge, inclining her head back.