The Enforcer (Untamed Hearts Book 3)(14)

“But I did meet her, and I did go to the walk-up with you.” She shrugged. “I try not to think about the what-ifs. I’d go crazy if I did that. I just deal with the shit as it comes. This included.”

Tino’s jaw flexed again as if he was gritting his teeth once more. “I should have left you in Garnet.”

“Why didn’t you if you’re so pissed off about it?”

Tino turned and looked at her when they stopped at an intersection, letting his gaze run over her for one hot moment. That look made all the fine hairs on her arm stand on end as a wild rush of need flooded her system.

Now she was the one gritting her teeth to keep from revealing just how much he could affect her. She didn’t want it to still be that easy for him. She wanted to believe she’d gotten stronger in the four years they’d been apart, but she was starting to suspect it was a lie. Not that it should be a surprise.

With Tino, there was always a lie.

So many lies.

And he never did tell her why he took her with him.

He let her sit and think about it instead.





Chapter Five


Somewhere in West Virginia


Four years without seeing Tino.

And over five hours spent in silence with him after they had both abandoned their phones and their lives in Kentucky.

The tension was so thick Brianna felt like she was coming out of her skin. In general, she wasn’t someone used to sitting still. She had a very physical job and was generally a high-energy person, who lived in a high-energy city and hung out with high-energy people.

Driving in silence through the Deep South was slowly making her crazy.

It didn’t help that Tino was every bit as wired as Brianna, jumpy and angry, at whom, she wasn’t sure, but it was affecting her already frayed nerves. Especially with the not-so-minor problem of the mob wanting her dead hanging over both their heads.

And she got the impression Tino knew why.

That didn’t make the trip back to New York any easier.

So when he asked if she wanted to stop in West Virginia for the night, she couldn’t agree fast enough.

“Oh my God, yes.” Brianna practically sobbed in relief. “If I never see another car again, it won’t be too soon. I’m walking or taking the subway from now until forever.”

“I’m actually right there with you.” Tino surprised her by laughing. “If you only knew how much time I’ve spent driving over the past week or so.”

“Was Miami fun?” she asked, noticing his tan again in the dying sunlight.

“Not really.” Tino shook his head. “Miami sorta sucked.”

“But you found a beach.”

“Yeah.” He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I found a beach. Needed it too. We both did. Nova’s tanner than me.”

“How’s Nova?” Brianna asked, because now that they were talking, she was jumping on it. Anything was better than the silence. “Is he doing okay?”

Tino arched an eyebrow at that. “Do you care?”

“Not particularly.” She couldn’t help the wince. “But I know you do.”

“He’s probably not okay,” Tino answered with a sigh. “In fact, I’m almost positive he’s right behind us. That’s why I figured West Virginia would be a good place to stop.”

Brianna frowned. “What’s the significance of West Virginia?”

“We’re about twenty miles out from where Romeo and Jules got caught by the Borgata.” Tino said it quietly, but the impact was huge. “It’s where—”

“Nova killed your father,” Brianna finished for him.

“Yeah.” Tino nodded. “West Virginia is the last place in the world Nova would wanna stop. He nearly went down here. He won’t talk about getting arrested, but I know it wasn’t pleasant. West Virginia, can you imagine? The only place worse would be—”

“Kentucky.” Brianna laughed and then had to ask, “Did you hate it there?”

“Nah, it’s okay.” He laughed with her. “Actually, I’ve been arrested in Kentucky. Just the other week. And it’s been a wild ride ever since. I guess it was a bad omen.”

“What did you get arrested for?” Brianna couldn’t hide the catch of fear in her voice. “Are you out on bond? Were you allowed to leave?”

“He didn’t charge us. I know the sheriff. He’s my sister-in-law’s twin brother. We’re all pretty tight. Wyatt just had to arrest us because me and my friend Chu were fighting in public.”

“Oh.” Brianna tried to process all of that but decided to give up. “Why were you fighting with your friend?”

“He said I looked like I was from Jersey.”

Brianna scowled. “Nice friend.”

“I sorta had it coming.”

“Well.” Brianna gave him a smile. “I don’t find that too terribly hard to believe.”

Tino snorted in amusement. “Thanks, baby.”

Brianna took a deep breath, shocked by the endearment and how naturally it still came to him. She was fairly certain she was mad at Tino, but she wasn’t too sure why.

Had he really done anything except abandon his family and friends to save her from a mafia hit?