Page 41 of Breaking Rosalind
“Toby what?”
“Who are you?” He squeezes his eyes shut.
“His name’s Toby Nesbitt,” the girl says, her voice sharp with an edge of viciousness. “He’s a senior at our school, and he’s a bully and a dick.”
I grab little Toby by the throat. “Stay away from this girl. Don’t touch her, don’t talk to her, don’t look at her, don’t even think about her unless you want to lose your teeth. Got that?”
Toby swallows hard. “Yes, sir.”
“Now, apologize to Miranda.”
His gaze darts in her direction. “I-I-I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
I turn to the girl. “Anything you want to tell him, love?”
Her face tightens. “Yeah. Stop talking about me, Toby. Or I’ll break your nose.”
The boy nods.
“You heard the lady.” I shake him hard enough to make his teeth rattle. “Now, scram.”
Toby scampers away, not turning back until he joins a group of kids at the other end of the road.
The girl turns to me and beams, her eyes sparkling. “Thanks for coming to my rescue. Are you Cesare?”
“That’s right.” I give her my most charming smile. “Rosalind lost her phone, so she asked me to tell you not to worry.”
Her shoulders sag with relief. “That’s great. She missed an important meeting at school and didn’t call or text. I was so worried. She’s never late for anything. I was about to call the cops.”
I chuckle. “Want me to take you to her?”
Her gaze wanders to the Lamborghini. “Is that your car?”
I nod. “Want a ride?”
She glances at the small group of kids still lingering on the street and bites her lip. “How do I know you’re not a stranger?”
Clever girl. I’m proud of her caution. I reach into the pocket of my leather jacket and pull out a scrap of paper. “Recognize this?”
She glances down at it, her brows furrowing. “I left that with her boyfriend, Leroi.”
“Ex,” I mutter. “They broke up. I’m her new man.”
Her gaze flicks up to meet mine. “Really?”
I reach into my pocket, pull out my phone, and scroll to the photos app. “Recognize this guy?” I show her a selfie I took of Benito and Leroi the night before the Capello massacre. “That’s me with my cousin.”
Her breath catches. “You and Leroi are related?”
I nod. “You went to Leroi’s apartment this morning, looking for your sister. He was telling the truth when he said she wasn’t there. She was with me.”
Miranda stares up into my eyes, scrutinizing my features for the truth. I gaze back, having nothing to hide.
“I might be the rebound guy, but I’ve liked Rosalind for months. She brightens my evening every time she comes to my club.”
Her jaw drops, and her cheeks turn pink. “You own the Phoenix?”
“Want a tour?” I ask.