trying not to go too fast. I was eager to get back to the apartment, but the last thing I needed was to be seen running out of a bank.
It took ten minutes to get back to the apartment, and when I barged inside, a man was sitting on the sofa. “Get out,” I barked, pulling my gun off my waistband. I wasn’t fuckin’ about any longer. I needed to get this over and done with, and this guy who was clearly drunk as a skunk wasn’t going to stand in my way.
“Who the hell are you?” he slurred, standing and using the back of the sofa to keep him upright.
“I’m your worst goddamn nightmare if you don’t get out within the next three seconds.” I jerked my hand, bringing his attention to the gun. “Now, get the fuck out.”
“Alright, alright, man. Calm down.” He raised his hands, stumbling along the wall as he left the apartment like his ass was on fire. It was amazing the power a gun had. But I never pulled it on anyone unless I had the intention of pulling the trigger, and the way I was feeling right then, the temptation was too fuckin’ strong. So I stowed it away, feeling eyes burning on my back.
“Here.” I turned to face her, holding the bag of money in the air. I pulled the zip open, letting her see all of the cash. “Now sign them.” I slapped the papers on the table where me, Cardo, and Chiara had eaten all of our meals. I placed a pen on top of them, waiting for her to step forward, but her gaze was latched to the money. “You get it when you’ve signed,” I told her.
She jumped forward, grasping the pen, and signed on the dotted line without a word, not a single emotion flickering across her face. She was right, she really didn’t care about us.
I picked the papers up, making sure she’d signed everywhere she needed to. “It’s all yours.” I dropped the bag on the table, sneering at her as she dived for it. She’d waste it within months, but I wouldn’t be here to see it. To watch her destroy herself more than she already had.
She greedily pulled the money out, licking her lips at the sight of it. I shook my head, feeling sick to my stomach. She’d just sold her kids. Fuck. My anger rolled through me like a living breathing thing, and I knew I had to get out of here. I couldn’t stay in this apartment for a second longer.
I opened my mouth to say bye, but watching her sigh as she placed the cash next to her face had me leaving silently. My feet carried me to the door, I pulled it open, took one final look at the apartment, knowing I would never be back here, and left.
Stowing the documents in my inside pocket of my jacket, I walked over to my SUV, stopping at the sight of a man pacing in front of it. I halted, my hand moving toward my gun. People around here knew exactly who I was, but that didn’t mean people didn’t take chances. For all I knew, my mom had told someone that I was bringing her money.
“What do you want?” I ground out. It wasn’t even 11 a.m. yet and I was already done for the day.
He jerked, his foot slipping from beneath him, but he caught himself at the last second. His murky eyes met mine and I pulled in a breath. I’d know those eyes anywhere.
“I…” He held his hands up, taking a step toward me. “I just wanted to talk.” His gaze flicked around the lot and up to the apartments. “I saw you.” I raised a brow, my hand not moving from near my gun. I had no idea if he was going to pull something. “I saw you take her away.” He gulped, his fear clear to see, but so was his determination. “You have my daughter.”
“Luna,” I whispered, my hand dropping.
“I…Is she okay?” His voice broke. “Stan said that you’re in the mafia.” His eyes widened. “Is she safe? Is she—”
“She’s safe,” I told him, tilting my head to the side. He wasn’t strung out, if anything, it looked like he was clean. “You’re worried about her?” I asked.
“Yeah.” He pushed his hand through his too long hair. “I never wanted this. I never…” He blew out an audible breath. “I just wanted us