The Enforcer (Untamed Hearts Book 3)(65)

Tino gave Romeo a look. “Yeah, it’s the pot’s fault.”

“So you’re okay?” Romeo asked like he couldn’t get past it. “Except for the cooking?”

“I guess, but I got this bum leg. That sucks. I was going to try out for a dance team in Bed-Stuy when I get my cast off. Nova thinks it’s a stupid idea.”

“What?” Romeo frowned at Nova. “Why? Activities are good for him. Keeping busy is good for him. Let him stay busy until I get out so he doesn’t do things like jump off the landing.”

Nova opened his mouth but then shrugged. “I just think he should stick with karate. I found a dojo in Dyker Heights for us.”

“He can do both,” Romeo said reasonably. “I think it’s good. I always thought that.” He looked back to Tino. “I felt bad you couldn’t go for the team in gymnastics. Now you can find a gym or do this dance team or whatever you got to do to keep busy.”

“Hey, you know, Otis Johnson is on the Bed-Stuy dance crew,” Tino told him, because he was still shocked by it, and added in English, “What are the friggin’ chances?”

“Really?” Romeo gave him a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “So you have friends there? At least one friend.”

“Yeah.” Tino nodded and then looked at the table before he said under his breath, “Carina’s nice too.”

“Carina?”

“Frankie’s daughter,” Nova filled in, looking uncomfortable.

“Oh, I didn’t know her name.” Romeo looked embarrassed by it. “I’m glad she’s nice. You’ve been spending time with her?”

“She’s cool to hang with. She’s funny.” Tino laughed when he remembered the tattoos. “She’s sort of different.”

“Very different,” Nova agreed with wide eyes. “She’s spoiled, but Tino likes her. So whatever.”

“And she’s got this best friend. She’s an awesome dancer,” Tino went on, because he was really looking for things to keep him from breaking down and telling Romeo everything. “She’s kind of cute. Brianna. The friend.”

Romeo grinned at him. “You like her?”

Tino shrugged.

“Stay busy, Tino,” Romeo said solemnly. “Stay outta trouble. Promise me. I worry about you with them. I spend every night staring at the top of my bunk worrying.”

“You’re worried about me?” Tino gestured to himself and then glanced at Nova.

“I already promised him,” Nova said without meeting Tino’s gaze. “I promised him the first day in here that I wouldn’t get caught up in their bullshit.”

Tino was silent for a long time, because he realized that promise was the reason why Nova made such a stand against Frankie.

It was the reason Tino ended up in the basement.

“You can’t let them suck you in,” Romeo went on. “Don’t let them sell you their bullshit. The money. The power. It’s not worth it. You have to trust me on this.”

Tino raised his eyebrows at that.

Like it was a f*cking choice.

Did Romeo honestly think Tino and Nova could just decide not to buy into the bullshit?

Nova stepped on Tino’s foot.

So Tino nodded and said, “I promise.”

“Do your dance team. Go to the Dyker Heights dojo,” Romeo went on. “Stay outta trouble, piccolo.”

“I don’t want anyone to call me that anymore,” Tino said before he could stop himself.

Romeo pulled back in confusion. “Call you what?”

“Piccolo,” Nova answered for him. “He says he’s not a baby. We know he’s not a baby.” He looked at Tino and whispered, “Ma called you piccolo, Valentino.”

“Ma’s dead,” Tino snapped, making Romeo and Nova flinch. “She’s dead, and we’re here, and I don’t want to be called that anymore.”

“You’re not okay,” Romeo said knowingly. “Why are you so thin, Valentino?”

“’Cause Nova’s cooking sucks.”

“You look sick,” Romeo pressed with the harsh glare of a man who had once changed his diapers. “What is going on with you?”

For one long moment Tino considered telling Romeo. Instead he asked, “Why don’t you tell us what’s going on in here?” Tino gestured around. “Do you like jail? You’re the biggest guy here. It can’t be that bad, right?”

“No one likes jail.” Romeo seemed haunted all of a sudden. “Why do you think I’m telling you to stay out of trouble?”

“You have a roommate?” Tino asked, even though he knew Romeo didn’t. “Is he cool?”

Romeo looked away. “No, I’ve been in solitary. I just got out.”

“What?” Nova barked at him. “Why were you in solitary?”

“I told the lawyer.” Romeo sighed and shook his head. “Not this one.” He pointed to Abram sitting next to them. “The criminal one.”

“I pay that motherf*cker. He didn’t tell me you were in solitary.” Nova’s voice was shaking in fury. “What the f*ck did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything. They said something about me making threats, but you know I didn’t make any threats. I thought maybe—”