Midnight Vigilante, Leonor Bass [top business books of all time .TXT] 📗

do a lot on her own, but LinHill is a different kind of town at night. You wouldn’t want to be alone,” Adrian said.

“What do you mean?” Riley wanted to get as much information from him as she could, given he was a detective; especially if that included something about Julius.

“I don’t want to scare you.”

“Nothing scares me.”

“It’s a conversation for another time. Now, will you let me walk you home?” Adrian insisted.

“Okay, fine. Walk me home,” Riley said, defeated.

The streets to Riley’s house were not as dark and deserted as Adrian had expected. He wanted to apologize for being so insistent, but he also couldn’t help his sense of obligation to walk Riley home no matter the lack of activity on the way.

“I just want to keep you safe. Maybe partially to honor your sister. There’s nothing much to it.” Adrian couldn’t tell Riley he was trying to keep her safe from Julius like he hadn’t with Lydia. “And I didn’t lie when I said LinHill was a dangerous place to be. A lot of things have changed.”

“Right. Like the gangs and stuff, right?” Riley asked him. Adrian ignored her question. “Of course, you’re not gonna say a word. That’s what police officers do. Keep things to themselves until it gets out of hand.”

“You seem to know a lot about law enforcement.”

“I know better than to trust anyone, especially if they wear a badge. They usually don’t keep their promises,” Riley replied.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Santino was right. He always said cops keep things from you and tell you only what you need to hear.”

“And this Santino guy, was he wise enough that you trusted his words?”

“I trusted him with my life,” Riley whispered.

“Trusted? What happened?”

“He’s dead.”

Adrian let her explanation hang in the air for a moment before pressing forward. There were things about Riley he wanted and needed to know, but she was guarded and would probably spook easily. “Is that what you meant when you said you’ve been through this before? You were talking about him? May I ask what happened?”

“He was murdered. Shot in the head,” Riley replied sharply.

“Did the police catch whoever did it?”

“Gang members. They’re dead now, too.”

“Well, I’m glad you got justice.” Adrian was about to say goodbye when they were interrupted by two men, both taller and physically stronger than him. They stood at each side of Adrian, prepared to attack.

“What the fuck are you doing here, boy? This isn’t you’re place,” one of the men said.

“I’m just dropping my friend at her house, that’s all,” Adrian replied.

The man eyed Riley up and down, as if she were a piece of meat.

“Well, some chick you got there, man,” the man said with a smirk.

“I’m not a chick. I have a name,” Riley replied harshly.

“Why don’t you tell me then, honey?” The man stepped closer to her, but Adrian stood in the way and refused to move.

“All right, I think you should get inside,” Adrian addressed Riley.

“Why? I’m not afraid of this guy,” Riley said without a hint of fear in her voice.

“I’m sure you’re not, but still get inside. I’ll deal with him,” Adrian told her.

She exchanged one more glare with the man and turned around toward her house reluctantly, leaving Adrian alone.

Adrian heard the door close behind him and turned toward the two men. He knew them very well: they were Julius’s guys and Adrian saw them wandering around the house on each of his visits, which were more frequent that he intended.

“Some friend you made there, Castelló. I’m not sure the boss will be very happy to know about it.”

“I’m sure since you’re his lapdog you’ll run to tell him, right?” Adrian said. The man moved two steps toward him, but Adrian didn’t flinch. Nothing could be done to him, he was Julius’s half-brother, therefore he carried a sort of protection. The men knew he was untouchable, which benefited him in his endless war against Julius’s organization.

“Your brother isn’t here to take care of you, asshole. Something might happen to you, and we can easily make it look like an accident. I’m sure you don’t want that.”

“Kill a cop? You’d be that stupid to kill your boss’ brother, a law enforcement officer, in the middle of the street?” Adrian asked.

He watched the man hesitate and his partner pull him away. The fact that he was untouchable didn’t mean he didn’t fear the men’s reactions to his challenges. Adrian knew that, one day, Julius would figure out Adrian wasn’t exactly on his brother’s side and, considering how aggressive he could turn out to be, his life wouldn’t end in the nicest way.

Hopefully that wasn’t going to be tonight.

Chapter Fifteen

Riley couldn’t remember the last time she had gone to bed worried about someone. Adrian had given her a smile when he walked away, which momentarily calmed her erratic heart. When she finally fell asleep, her mind was haunted by nightmares, though that was normal for her. She woke up sweating, with tears streaming down her face each time.

But this particular night was different. Instead of Santino’s bloodied body on the ground, it was Adrian who haunted her slumber. His face was bruised and blood surrounded him. In the far corner, she could see the two gorillas laughing, mocking his death.

She woke up sweating. No tears, but worried sick.

Riley went to work in zombie mode; all along the path to Mr. Eaton’s bar, she looked at the ground for any traces of blood, like in her dream. She was relieved when she found none.

When she walked into the bar, she sensed the entire work environment was different. Paige was gossiping with another waitress at the bar, and they didn’t look pleased. On the contrary, they looked preoccupied.

Their looks of apprehension increased when Riley approached them.

“What’s going on?” Riley asked.

Paige was the first one to step out from behind the bar and give her a hug, one that Riley could not understand. “Riley, thank God you’re okay. You don’t know?