Page 30 of Bobby

Someone missed the memo.

“Anything else?” Like leads that can pinpoint whose kneecaps Marco is going to break?

When Jimmy called to tell us what was going on, Marco was as frantic as I was. He won’t say it, but he thinks of Willow’s girls as his sisters. He had three when he was young, but they were all killed in a horrible accident. He was too young himself to do anything about it, which is a blessing, as he never turns that anger on himself, which I’ve seen more than a few times. Marco only misses them and their memories and wishes he could have seen them grow up.

Just like I expect he plans to do for Lily and Ivy. No matter how close I get to the Frazzer family, I have a sinking feeling that my second’s loyalty is being split a bit.

I have no doubt that if he had to choose a life to save, it would be mine. But there would be hesitation. And that’s the issue. Hesitation can kill just as easily as it can maim.

“Yeah. Not that you’re going to like it,” Danny says.

“Tell me anyway.”

“The fire destroyed everything from the first to the third floor. The fourth and fifth have water and smoke damage. Doesn’t look like much was saved for anyone living there.”

Double fuck.

“Your girl, she was on….” He leaves it open for me to finish.

“The third.” And I don’t correct him calling Willow mine.

“I’ll see what I can do. Also, Vinny wants another meeting.”

“About?”

“What do you think? He wants blood for blood with the thugs in Harlem who tried to take over one of the places Pops helped out when he started the business.”

“Fine. Text me times. I’ll be there.”

He hangs up, and I just stand in the hall for a moment longer. The girls’ giggles carry down the hall from the living room, along with footsteps coming in my direction.

“Everything okay?” Willow asks as she slows and stands within reach, but still a respectful distance away.

“I’m sorry, but it doesn’t seem like anything will be salvageable.” I might not know everything about Willow, but I know she isn’t the type to prefer the truth being kept from her.

She nods as if she already assumed as much, then smiles, even though it’s forced.

“We can always buy new things. I just got a bonus, after all.”

Her wink has my shoulders shaking in laughter and brings a real smile to both our lips.

“Thank you for letting us stay here.” She gestures to the apartment walls.

“Not a problem. It’s company housing we keep ready for when I try to wine and dine people into doing what I want.”

“And a spare apartment does that for them?”

“Ah, but it’s not just about the apartment. It’s what’s above it.”

She tilts her head in curiosity, expecting I’ll just tell her. But why say it when I can show it.

“Care to see?” I offer the challenge and my hand.

Her smile falters as she looks at my hand. Hers is already halfway to mine before she looks back at me. “What about the girls?”

I drop my hand to her back, guiding her down the hall. “They can come too. But only if they believe in fairies.”

I say the last part a little louder as I enter the main living space. It’s a corner apartment, and the windows take up the entire side of the wall, slanting into the living room to give it a triangle effect. The design team placed the kitchen on one wall, next to the master bedroom, and the couch on the other wall, backing into the second bedroom. I didn’t have time to have a third bed brought in, but I know the girls share, so I hope it works for tonight.