Page 106 of Volatile Vice

I pause a moment. “I know that. Did you see any bruises on her?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“What was she dressed in?”

“Some kind of party dress. The girl is eleven, but I swear he dresses her to look like she’s six.”

“Yeah, I know.” I run my hands through my hair. “It’s beyond disturbing. I wish we could help her. I really do. The fact that he’s hurting her makes me ache inside. But her life isn’t in danger, Raven. Her virginity isn’t in danger.”

“I can’t even believe you’re saying these things, Vinnie.” She starts crying. “How did I ever think I loved you?”

Those words cut into my heart like a knife.

But I can use them to my advantage. For Raven’s protection, she needs to stay away from me. And if she hates me? That will make it all the easier.

The idea of making her hate me breaks my heart. I love her so much. I know she loves me too. But if I let her see a side of me that she doesn’t like…

Perhaps she’ll at least stay away.

“Raven,” I say, “it’s not my problem.”

I hear her gasp, and then she ends the call abruptly.

I feel like a fucking heel. I ache for that little girl as much as she does. And I will find a way to help her, but I think it’s better if Raven thinks I won’t.

She’s seeing that I may not be the man she thinks I am. And although she’s wrong, letting her think that will work in my favor. At least for now.

I shove my phone in my pocket and go back to Austin.

“Is your mother okay?” he asks me.

Of course. He thought the call was about my mother. He has no idea it was his own daughter on the other end of the line.

“She’s not good,” I lie. “I should be getting back to her.”

“We have an understanding then?”

“Yes. No one will hear anything from me about Brick Latham.” The world is better off without one more rapist and money launderer. I’m just grateful that Raven didn’t end up in his clutches.

“Good. And you have something to tell me?”

I pause a moment.

Cobra.

I haven’t brought up the name on purpose. Now that I know that Bellamy was behind Latham’s demise, I know something else as well. He knows more than he’s letting on about what happened years ago.

And Diego Vega.

Only my father, my grandfather, and Vega knew about that nickname for me, and it’s not something Bellamy would have found on the dark web.

Which means…

“Later,” I say. “My mother takes precedence.”

35

RAVEN