"Do you have a place?"
I hold my hands up, gesturing to the building, and he frowns.
"No, no. I have a place, rented a house on the other side of town. We'll go there to talk."
I raise my brows at the man and he only smiles knowingly.
Fucking Italians.
"I'll go tell Ana."
I make my way back to our room only to find Ana asleep on the bed, the dress tossed to the floor. The slight pallor to her skin is still there, though a smile graces her face in her sleep as she hugs her body.
I smile lightly, kissing her forehead, before leaving her to her rest and going to find Brutus, who I find on his own downstairs.
"Keep watch, she's resting. If she wakes up, let her know I'll be back soon."
Brutus nods, going to take his place outside our door. Satisfied my woman is taken care of, I follow after Emilio to his supposed place.
"How did you get the money, old man?" I ask as we watch, a few of his boys trailing behind. The townsfolk give us a wide berth, but it feels different than the one I normally get. The way they are looking at Emilio is like he's some sort of king, which I suppose compared to their wealth, he is.
"I've had some things buried away from The Tomb for years," he explains, keeping his voice low even as he smiles and waves at people when he passes. I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes, the man is certainly feeling in his element now.
"That's what took so long?" I ask, feeling a spark of rising anger. "You realize we could have used help long before this."
Emilio waves his hand at this.
"Trust me, my friend. I will be of much more help now. Ah, here we are." Emilio walks up to a house, certainly the biggest on the block.
“How the fuck did you even find this place? You arrived today?”
“I asked,” Emilio says with a shrug. “Amazing how people open up to a well-dressed man. Idiots.”
A few townspeople watch as we walk up the stairs to the ridiculous house and the stirrings of an idea builds in my mind. Flash and money will certainly blind people, will it not?
"I suppose you've entertained all types of company, is that right Emilio?" I ask as we walk in, my eyes darting fast around the room, taking in the unaccustomed luxury.
He looks at me a bit suspiciously but nods. “Yes, you could say that. Why do you ask?”
"How do you feel about inviting The Watch for drinks tomorrow?"
Chapter Eighteen
Ana
My dreams are scattered and dark. Images of Axle as a child haunt me, a baby being ripped from his mother. Wailing and crying. Snakes curl in my guts, twisting and turning.
When I wake up, it’s to the door opening. I’m soaked in sweat and I think I cry out because Ax is at my side immediately.
“It was just a dream,moya lyubov, I’m here.”
Gentle words bring me back and I gratefully accept the water being handed to me.
“Thanks,” I manage to rasp. “I’m fine.”
Ax says nothing, just watches me with a slightly worried yet serene look on his face.
“You look happy,” I note. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’ve been so tired lately. How is Emilio? I should come down and see him.”