Chapter 13
Tricia expects to come in to an empty apartment, and so is definitely surprised at the smell of popcorn and the sound of a television playing in the background. “Little Tony?” She calls out, even before opening the door. Slowly she turns the knob and silently wishes for the gun her dad gave her years ago. Being a victim of anything isn’t exactly on her list of things she wants.
“Hey, Patrizia.” A voice that she liked to pretend had been snuffed out years ago comes from in front of the television. “Long time no see.”
Tricia clinched her fists to stop them from reaching for the nearest blunt object. “Kind of wish it was longer, Mattie. What do you want?” They had an agreement. She kept her mouth shut and he keeps as far away from her as possible.
He stands up, the smug smile still the same even after growing about half a foot. “Little Tony told me you two were keeping an apartment together in the city. Still can’t believe that both of the Assante children won’t join the family business.”
Here, Tricia crosses her arms to glance around the apartment. It’s a very good thing that Nicky left when she did. “What can I say? I’m not a fan of grunt work.”
He walks closer and Tricia can’t help the small step backwards before she has a chance of straightening her spine. “Yeah, no. I know you, Trish.” He gives a knowing look down her body and she fights the urge to flinch. Now isn’t the time for memories best left in the dark. “You like exacting pain the same way I do.”
“Please leave, Mattie.” Tricia moves to the side and points to the door. “I know you like to play games with your prey, but I’m really not in the mood.”
He shrugs but doesn’t move any closer to the door. “Uncle Gino is getting really tired of waiting for one you kids to come back to the flock, and your dad isn’t getting any younger.”
“Leave, now, Matteo.” Tricia bites out the words, anger replacing the fear that comes almost every time she lets herself think of the man in front of her or his uncle.
The Assante’s got revenge on what Matteo’s uncle did to their mom, not that anyone would be able to connect the dots. A lot of people disappear when a serial killer starts playing in the streets, even after the killer had been dealt with.
At that thought, a part of her mind reminds her that the cops could have dealt with the guy without any of the family. Well, sort of. No one was willing to talk to anyone dressed in blue at the time.
“No.” Mattie steps forward and reaches out with a hand that Tricia jerks away from. “I think I’d like to stay here and get to know you again.”
“I think not.” Tricia’s smile is edged with a bite. “This is me warning you, Mattie. Get away from my family, before you go away in pieces. I gave you a freebie when we were kids. I’m definitely not giving you one, now.”
He’s still way too confident when he reaches out and grabs her arm in a bruising grip. “I think you need to get the lesbian out of you by remembering how good it is with a man.”
It’s instinct forged in years of training that has her spin out of the grab and jab upwards with the palm of her hand. She steps away from the yelling man and bounces on her feet. She isn’t the scared little girl that her mother had wanted to keep pure from the evil’s of her husband’s business. “No thanks. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way.” She gets out the words right before he comes at her, swinging.
Well, one good thing about this. Well, Tricia amends, maybe two. If she kills the dude from her nightmares, Nicky’s uncle doesn’t have to worry about finding and arresting Mattie.