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She laughs. “This was all too good to be true. You had your fun with the stupid, naïve girl.”
I let out a low growl. Fucking Salvatore. I don’t understand how he’s fallen so far so quickly.
Once upon a time, we were childhood friends, and he was a decent man. Neither of us was always on the right side of the law, but we still had a code.
I sigh, gripping the steering wheel with my left hand as I take the note down off the windscreen and drop it back on the seat, then meet Esme’s eyes. “Stop the goddamn cab and come back here and read it for yourself. Then decide.”
12
Esme
“SURE, SO YOU CAN kidnap me. Is that part of your work?” I shake my head. “No, thanks.”
“Do you really think I’d do that? Look at me, Esme, tell me what you really think.”
I meet Vito’s eyes, and even with the space between the two vehicles, my heart melts. He’s so strong, but I can see the pain in his eyes.
“Please read the note, Esme.”
I let out a sigh. “Fine.” Hanging up without another word, I turn to the driver. “Stop the car, please.”
“Are you crazy, lady? If I stop now, that guy’s going to run right into the back of us.”
“No, he won’t. Just stop the car.”
“If he runs into my cab—”
“Stop being such a drama queen and stop the car!”
He grunts, but I feel him tap the brakes, and Vito falls back behind us. A few moments later the cab driver stops, and I jump out.
“Hey!” he shouts. “You gotta pay me!”
“One sec. I’ll be right back, please just wait. I’ll pay you, just wait...” He rolls his eyes, throwing up his hands, but puts the cab in park at the curb. I don’t want him to leave because I’m sure I’ll be back in the cab and on my way in a minute.
I march back to the Suburban and climb in beside Vito. He thrusts the handwritten note at me, and I start reading.
The note says that he and Salvatore agree that neither has any claim on the other’s businesses, nor will they be liable for any bad debts or legal problems. It’s a clean break without prejudice or bad blood between their families.
He was telling the truth.
I pinch the bridge of my nose as I finish reading what’s written there. “Is this real?”
“Of course it is, Bambina. I wouldn’t ever lie to you.”
I nod. “Well, I’m glad you’re not who I was beginning to think you were. You seemed like a good man, and this whole fairy tale has been amazing. But it’s really just fantasy. I have a real life and people who depend on me. I work for the DA; you and I...we just don’t fit, and besides, I have things I have to deal with right now, and whatever this was between us...” I shake my head. “I don’t know, it’s just not the right time, I guess. Different worlds we live in.”
The reality of that statement hits me hard. My mom and dad need me, and I have no idea how to help, but I do know I will do everything I can to try, including quitting my internship and moving back home... I’ll have to take any job I can. It might be too little too late, but I have to try. After everything else, they can’t lose their home. I won't let it happen.
“I know that someone you care about is having money problems. That guy you met at the restaurant? His name’s Malcolm, and he’s a friend. He told me about your phone call.”
“My mom,” I say, nodding. “The medical bills have just been piling up. Now they are losing the house.”
“Your mom’s sick?”
“No. My dad. He broke his back. He used to be her rock, used to always be able to pay his way, but then he had an accident. My mom used up all their savings, took out a second mortgage on the house. Now they owe so much they're on the verge of losing everything. On top of that, Dad’s still getting treatment at a rehab facility, but he’s being kicked out. The foreclosure is nearly done.” I shake my head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, it’s not your problem.”
“Yes, it is.” Vito taps at his phone. “How much do they need?”
I choke out a laugh. “It’s too much.”
The phone starts ringing on the car’s speakers as Vito turns to me. “This is your family, and that makes them my family. I’ve never had anything to use my money for that I really cared about until now. It’s just piling up in bank accounts and safes.”
There’s a click, and an English-accented voice sounds over the speakers. “Vito, unusual to hear from you outside our scheduled meetings. What can I do for you?”
