In desperate need of redirection, I latched on to the first thing that popped in my head. “I need to speak to Vinnie, and then I’ll get my things and go.” Yeah, go talk to Vinnie with the crotch of your pants soaked. That’s going to be fun. But I didn’t know what else to do. I had no idea where my things were.
“You’re not fucking leaving. Just calm the fuck down for a minute and explain what you think you know,” Tony ordered, moving more fully into the doorway to block my exit. I barely stopped quickly enough to keep from plastering myself against his chest.
“Antonio, I’ve had enough for today. Please let me pass.” I wasn’t going to fucking cry in front of them, that just wasn’t me, but my voice wasn’t as strong as it could have been, and I couldn’t force myself to look up and make eye contact. So much for beginning as I planned to continue. Fuck, I felt stupid.
“No,” was what I got in return, but not from Tony. Heavily tattooed arms came around me, one sporting a port with tubing attached, and pulled me back against a solid chest. Underneath the antiseptic, his scent was much the same as it had always been, and I nearly panicked at the prickle behind my eyes. They weren’t playing fair. I couldn’t take this shit, but with the thought of the bandage across his side and back, I also didn’t want to struggle and possibly hurt him.
“You’re supposed to be in bed, Santos,” I managed, albeit a bit on the shaky side.
“Fuck the bed. I told you I don’t need help. That woman is just too scared to not offer assistance, and she’s interested enough in the Carlotti name to even try for me.” I hated the way he said it, like he didn’t matter, and I despised my weak ass for caring. The man was unreliable and could hold a grudge ‘til the end of time from what I’d gathered. He didn’t turn me loose though, and I was really feeling awkward as fuck between him and Tony.
“Give her a hug, asshole.” Thank you, Marco, for making it so much worse.
But then Tony closed the scant distance between us, leaning in while encircling my body around Santos’ arms. “You’re not leaving, and you’re going to sit your ass down and explain.” The rough timbre of his voice reverberated in my ear and sent goosebumps trailing my skin in a wash of erotic sensation. He might be an asshole, but fuck, he flat out did it for me. They all did.
“Alright, you hugged it out. Santos, back to bed or I’m calling the doc. Tony, help Eden find her clothes and figure out where she’s sleeping, preferably in one of our beds if you don’t mind. I’m going to try to sort Vanni out.” Marco edged around the back of Tony before I could ask what he was talking about, not to mention why he was so damn bossy and didn’t get shit on over it.
“Try to take off, angel, and I’ll be doing more than breaking Doc’s orders,” Santos rumbled behind me as he let go and headed back for the bed.
Which left me with Tony, again. “Little room, please, Tony. You’re kinda freaking me out. And if you guys aren’t hooking up with anyone, then why did Vanni take off?”
He stepped back and shushed Santos, telling him to keep his ass in bed, before pinching the bridge of his nose and bowing his head. “First, we aren’t screwing anyone, and we need to have a discussion about that at some point soon. Second, shit went down at the jail. It’s how we got released to house arrest, but it’s also why the first conversation may have to be put on hold.” That was cryptic as fuck, as well a huge relief, but I got sidetracked when posh-ass Tony raised the leg of his pressed slacks to reveal the little black box strapped to his ankle. Tony fucking Carlotti has an ankle monitor.
“You all got tethers?” I asked, tone full of disbelief. It made sense, theoretically, but I was surprised their attorneys hadn’t found some way to wiggle out of it.
“Yes, which has made handling some details a pain in the ass. Everyone and their fucking dog knows to watch the estate because we can’t leave without landing our asses right back in jail, and that isn’t an option right now.”
Broaching the subject I’d just been roundaboutly told to wait on, I asked about Vanni. “What was Vanni’s problem, then? If I’m going to stay here, I need answers, Tony. I’m not a drugged-up whore anymore. I’m not a threat to any of you, and I’m almost fully recovered from my injuries.” At Tony’s sharp glance and Santos’ exclamation at the ‘fully’ part, I added on, “My ribs are still sore if I put them under too much stress, but it’s nothing major. Doc warned me that might happen. I wasn’t in the best of health to begin with even though I was a lot better than when you first found me.” I paused to glance back at Santos before finishing with a touch of levity. “I’d probably have died in that room, and stayed that way, if the mob boss in training and sidekick hadn’t shanghaied my ass.”
It earned me a brief hint of a grin from Santos, but he still looked troubled, considering the frown that seemed to be permanently etched on his face settled back into place. With a shrug, I gave Tony my attention again, laughing at the annoyance on his face. But I quickly found out it wasn’t all aimed at me.
“You’ve been summoned to the main house,” he bit out, jaw ticking through his cheek. “My father is under the impression that you were delivered here by mistake. Your belongings have been installed in a guest room, where he’s informed me you’ll be staying for the duration of your visit.” His hard gaze flicked from me, to the screen of his phone and back again, suspicion written all over his face, but I was at just as much of a loss.
“Visit? That implies you’re leaving, Eden, and I just told you that you aren’t. Tony, take care of it, or I’m going up there myself. We aren’t children to be managed; he’s all but handed all the operations over.” Santos’ fury was evident in his voice, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d agreed to follow Vinnie’s lead to help get them out of this mess.
I hadn’t known he’d want to keep me away from them and a sense of betrayal welled up in me that his intent had been to use me all along, but I fought to push it back down. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions; at least not before I had a chance to get my questions answered. “Guess I’ll head up there and see what h e wants,” I informed them on sigh. Then another thought occurred. “Can you even go that far with the tethers?” From Tony’s scowl and Santos’ grunt, I took that as a no. “Well then, can I borrow a car?”