to stop driving on the way here, much to her quiet annoyance. I didn't want to risk being caught if Enzio had people elsewhere, and I was pretty sure he had.l
As much as Isaiah called him a dumb fuck, when Enzio Romano wanted something did, he damn well got it done.
“Wait,” I said to Adriana as she approached the house.
She sighed dramatically and spun with the flair of a pissed off teenager. “What now?”
“How do you know it's safe? And 'because it's a safe house' isn't an acceptable answer.” I pulled my gun from my jacket, then held out my hand for the key. “Humor me?”
Her stare turned cold. “Fine.” She slapped the key into my hand, and the sharp edge scratched my palm.
Jesus Christ. She did not like giving up her control for anything, even her own safety. It was going to be a long night if she was going to stay in this mood, and I had the feeling she was. She sure as hell didn't look like she was going to attempt to crack a smile anytime soon.
“Come close,” I ordered her. It didn't matter how many times I told myself it was for her safety or how darkly she glared at me—I wanted to feel her soft body against mine. I wanted to feel her tucked into my side where the light that lived inside her soul could brighten my own pitch black one for just a few seconds.
She stepped into me and allowed me to put my arm around her body and curl her into me. I clutched the key tightly as I pulled her toward the house and scanned the area. There was literally no one else around. Even the houses that neighbored this one were eerily silent.
“What is this? A neighborhood of safe houses?” I muttered sarcastically.
“You'd be surprised,” she replied cryptically. “Are you done checking it out now, Mr. Protector?”
“Nope.” I tugged her into me a little more, and she tensed. I just about resisted the urge to tickle her side as I peered through the window. Inside looked open plan, and when I was happy there was no movement, we went to the front door. I finally had to let go of her to unlock it, and she put her back to me to check out the area too.
Yeah. I wasn't the only one worried we'd been followed, then.
She practically ran into the house after me. I stifled a laugh, locked the door behind me, and pocketed the key. Chances were, she had another, and if she didn't... Well, that was fucking tough.
“Were you a cat in a past life?” I questioned, following her into the kitchen.
“Why?” She checked the power. It was completely off judging by her annoyed groan. “Oh my God!” She straightened, clapping her hand over her mouth. “Rossi!”
“I'm starting to think you made Rossi up. I've never seen him.” I put the gun on the table and shrugged off my jacket.
“That's because he always disappeared before you showed up at the house. Cat's smarter than me,” she added under her breath.
I snorted.
“I need to text Gaige and ask him to look out for Rossi. He'll be worried if I don't go home.” She fumbled in the backpack for her phone.
“Addy, it's a cat.”
“And?” She paused her rummaging and looked up at me. “Your point is what?”
“Well, he's a cat, for one,” I repeated, walking around to her. I took the bag from her hands. “And two, you can't use your phone here.”
One of her dark eyebrows lifted. “Really? That's the next thing? I can't even use my fucking—” She stopped mid-sentence as the reason hit her.
I hoped it did.
If they'd gotten to the house, there was every chance they were watching her phone. Mine, too.
“Okay.” She took a deep breath in, then let it out slowly, turning around. “The basement key is in here.” She pulled open a drawer and produced a gold key. “Go and switch on the power. I'll look for the safe. I'm pretty sure Mamma put a few disposable phones in it.”
“Of course she did. She thought of everything.” I smiled as I took hold of the key.
Adriana's lips twitched. “She really did. The basement is just down the hall. I can't really remember where the power box is, so you're just gonna have to kinda guess.”
“Now it makes sense. I bet there isn't a flashlight either, is there?”
Her lip twitch turned into a full on smile as she backed down the hall