“I don’t have to, I have my own money now,” Desi said.
“You really like her then?”
“I think I might be in love for the first time. She’s everything to me.”
My stomach fluttered at his words. He didn’t know I was listening, and he still said them.
“What are you going to do then? About the pesky little thing coming just around the corner?” Mick asked. I frowned and peered from behind the car I’d tossed myself under.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll figure it out. Until then, just keep your mouth shut.”
“You got it, boss.” Mick snickered.
“You want to make some money off me today or not?” Desi snapped.
“Hey now, let’s not get crazy. You may be a piece of work, but your money’s good here. Now, about a vehicle.”
I stood and pretended to be just seeing them. “Hey, I think I found one.” I put my hand on the hood of a white car.
“That’s a 1983 Oldsmobile Regency. Fine car. Real fine. You want to take a peek inside, maybe test drive it?” Mick flashed a smile at me. I nodded and climbed inside once he opened the door for me.
“What’s your budget?” he asked.
I glanced at Desi and blushed. “It’s kind of low,” I admitted. Mick shot Desi a look but then smiled again.
“I think we can make it work. How about that test drive?” While Mick gushed about the car during the test ride, all I could think about was their conversation about thepesky little thing. When we got back to the dealership, I agreed to take the car. I signed the papers, and despite Mick claiming the car was under budget, I couldn’t help but wonder if he and Desi had worked something out to where I got the car regardless. More and more it felt like I was dating a mobster. I mean, I was, I guess.
On the way home, I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling. I knew Desi had killed people, and I had been sort of okay with that. But seeing him in action, threatening people? Would people come after me for dating him? If they did, what would Desi do, and how would I feel about it?
