Jerry looked up behind the bar and gave me a quick smile, all white teeth in his dark complexion.
I released Adamo’s hand and he disappeared through the backdoor. I headed for the bar but didn’t sit down. “Do you have vodka?”
Jerry grinned. “Of course. And a good one if I might say so.”
He poured me a generous glass of Moskovskaya, definitely not the worst vodka. I took a sip, my eyes returning to the door where Adamo had disappeared through.
By now, Dima would have noticed my disappearance and would have alerted my father. That was why I’d left my cellphone in my car in camp. I didn’t want Dad to track me to this place and send his soldiers to save me, when I didn’t want or need saving. At least not the kind of saving he had in mind.
The door swung open and Adamo stepped through followed by two tall men. In my memory both Remo and Nino Falcone had been giants, but now I realized that Adamo was their height. They had seemed so much taller for a little girl. I emptied the glass in one quick gulp, enjoying the burn and the resulting warmth.
Remo’s mouth twitched when he followed my actions. His eyes held recognition and the hint of dark amusement. No sign of pity. His brother Nino’s face was completely void of emotions, just like I remembered it. I didn’t wait for them to approach me, instead I walked in their direction, my head held high.
I was aware of their reputation, and Adamo’s protection would only go so far. They were his brothers, and even if he enjoyed my company, his loyalty lay with the Camorra and his family as it should.
I held out my hand to Remo. “It’s been a long time.”
Remo nodded with another twitch of his mouth and briefly shook my hand. “Indeed. You changed.”
Adamo positioned himself at my side and touched my hip. I briefly glanced his way, surprised by his closeness and his open sign of our togetherness. I couldn’t deny that it warmed my chest more than the vodka had done.
Both Nino and Remo glanced at Adamo’s move but didn’t comment. Dad would probably have attempted to kill Adamo at this display of affection.
“Haven’t we all?” I said. “Change is inevitable.”
Nino inclined his head and shook my hand. “How about we continue our conversation in the office?”
“That sounds reasonable,” I said.
Remo and Nino exchanged a look before they headed back through the door.
Adamo smiled encouragingly, his thumb sliding along my hip. “You are safe in Vegas.” His dark eyes held absolutely no doubt.
“I know,” I said and briefly kissed him. We followed his brothers, past a long row of closed doors. My belly flipped when I recognized one of them as the door to the room where I’d spent my night. More memories from that day took shape. Cody’s face, which had been shrouded in darkness up until this point manifested before my inner eye, and with it came a wave of revulsion.
Remo threw a look over his shoulder before he opened the door to what I assumed was his office. He scanned my face and I steeled myself, remembering Adamo’s words about his brother’s talent to recognize other people’s weaknesses and darkest emotions.
When I entered the office with the boxing sack, desk and sofa, my breath briefly caught in my throat, as the events from a decade ago appeared in my head. Cody’s horrified expression, Mother’s attempts to bargain with the Capo, and his fury over it. Adamo closed the door with a soft click, but I jumped anyway. I could have kicked myself for this sign of distress because it didn’t go unnoticed. All three men registered my jumpiness. If I didn’t get a grip, they’d see me as the sheep among the pack, not another wolf.
Adamo rubbed my waist again and while I appreciated his support, and would eventually tell him so, I needed to show strength. I hadn’t come this far to cower like the girl I had been in the past. I’d moved beyond her. I had changed.
I gave him a strained smile before I stepped out of his reach and approached Remo who leaned against his desk, watching us with keen eyes. I wondered what Adamo had told him about our relationship and what the Capo thought of it. “Over the years, I made sure to stay up to date on your life,” Remo said cryptically.