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“Stupid question.” His top lip curls. “You care.”
“Not particularly.”
“Right,” he mocks. “You couldn’t even sell that shit to O’Malley.”
I keep my face neutral, not giving away that I’m privy to their contact.
“Been calling me ever since you quit the NBA. Thinks he’s onto some story. Wanted to know why you really left, how did I feel about it, he asked shit about our relationship, wanted to know why you don’t ever talk about me, why you act like I don’t exist. Why you treated Cayo like he was your fucking father.” Revved up, he lifts the glass to his mouth in triple time, sucking back the liquor.
“He kept sniffing around. I blew him off but then you fueled him. Starting up that piece of garbage, Papa’s Kids. All for Cayo when he was dead and buried. Like he was some fucking hero. Then using your fists on O’Malley. In public. He wasn’t going to let up after that. You poured gasoline on a burning flame, boy. But your stupidity turned into a prize for me.
“When he last called, I was about to give him the brush-off again. Then he started talking about you being at this party, slobbering over some woman that went against your type. He asked if I knew her, and why you were being so damn secretive and protective. ’Course he couldn’t know why you would chooseherwhen you had models sucking your dick. But I knew. Knew you never got over her.”
I strive for control.
“I figured when you quit the Heat and left Miami it was because you found out she was here. Checked it out and realized you had no clue, otherwise you never would have stayed away.”
That catches my attention and something in my face must betray me.
“You didn’t think I knew she was here before now? Shit, boy, I’ve known for years.” He revels in the confession. “You and Cayo going to Amherst looking for her, hiring a private investigator…made me laugh. Cayo thought I could help, being the sheriff and all. Like hell I would. I found her myself within a few weeks of her dumping your sorry ass and leaving town. She was right here in Chicago. But I sent your guy on a wild goose chase with phony leads. ’Course he never turned up anything. Meanwhile she was only a couple of hours away the whole time. Easy to keep my eye on her.
“But I couldn’t figure out why she ran off to live in some shitbox, working a couple of jobs. Didn’t make a scrap of sense. Not at first. But as time went on, oh, it became clear as day.”
His fingers clutch the glass as he tilts it back for another drink. “Guess you didn’t know she was knocked up.”
I feel my jaw muscle pulsing like a ticking bomb.
“Ah, but you know now. That’s why she ran. Belly was out to here.” He gestures with his hand several inches from his stomach. “Must have been about five, six months along. Her running was the best thing. A baby was not in my plans, son. You would have thrown it all away for a fat ass and big tits…to be some two-bit writer and have a house full of idiot rugrats.”
His insults of Dee are bad enough, but hearing that he had known where she was right from the start, I have to lock my arms at my sides to keep from wrapping my bare hands around his throat. He had watched Dee trying to make ends meet, holding down two jobs. He let her struggle alone, all while carrying my child. I can barely keep my emotions quiet, barely contain my utter urge to kill him.
“Guess she didn’t want the goody-two-shoes Torreses to find out she was fucking their golden boy. So, she took off without telling anyone. While you were drinking and crying yourself to sleep, she was going to have your kid. Then she must have lost it ’cause when I saw her again about a month later, no more baby belly. Poof. Gone.”
Scalding fury boils in my chest.
“Am I upsetting you, boy?” He studies me. “You look a little piqued.”
“Where is this going, Malcolm?”
“I’m getting there. Tell me…” one hand spins his glass in a slow circle. “Did she give you some sob story when you found her? Or maybe she’s the one who came to you.I was pregnant and scared. I’m so sorry for leaving, but I didn’t know what to do,” he imitates in a high voice. “Did she tell you she never got over you either? I bet she did. You’re worth millions. She’s a smart cookie. I bet you ate it out of her hand like a good little lap dog.
“You see, I know you so well, son.” He drains the tumbler, his eyes glittering with evil glee. “I figure I have a few more years before I’m ready to retire. My 401k and pension aren’t going to cut it for me. I might want to get me one of these highfalutin places, travel, live the good life I could have had if not for you. I’m thinking five mil for now. That’s a drop in the bucket. You’re rolling in it, thanks to me.”
“You expect me to give you five million dollars?”
“Plus, any extras I might need here and there.”
“Why would I do that?”
“For her.”
A cold blade slices down my spine. “You’re playing with a losing hand. I’m done with Dee.”
“No way in hell.” He starts in on the other glass.
“Payback is a bitch.” I force my mouth into a self-satisfied smile. “I used her and now it’s over.”
“Nah. You don’t have it in you. Whatever your game, it’s only to protect her.”
