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“We’re literally going with you right now,” he says, squeezing my hand with a grin on his lips. “But you know we will. Do I need to try to convince you to get a gun again?”
“No. I’m fine.”
I didn’t tell them the truth of why those guys were following me. They don’t need to know it was Vicente the entire time. It would lead to more questions which would require details that I don’t want them to know. The less the better in this situation.
“Your proximity to the Kinmore family probably scared them away,” Noah says.
“Doesn’t answer why they were after you in the first place,” Autumn chimes in.
“I’m just glad they seem to have given up.”
“Or Vicente made them, you know, disappear,” Noah adds.
“He’s not here, you can say what you mean,” Autumn says.
“You know what I mean.”
They both look at me, waiting for me to confirm their theories.
“Vicente didn’t make anyone disappear. He’s known for a lot of things, most of them not good or legal. I’m sure it would just take a stern talking to in order to get people to leave me alone. I’m not complaining.”
They’re both quiet for several seconds before Autumn speaks up. “Okay, so are we ready to go?”
“Yeah, Phillip is down there with the truck. We should probably go,” Noah says, referring to his friend who’s helping us.
* * *
After another week, it’s finally the weekend again, giving me time to go shopping for my new place. It feels nice to go into the stores and pick out furniture I want rather than accepting hand-me-downs that are not my style.
I don’t go all out, buying only necessities for now. I get a light gray sectional with navy blue throw pillows, a matching set of etageres that surround my new wall-mounted TV, and a rug that sits under my wooden coffee table.
Besides the living room furniture, I get everything I need for my kitchen, including cookware, dishes, and silverware. For the bathroom, I get only towels and floor mats. My shower is enclosed, so I don’t have the need for shower curtains.
Any extras, including wall art, spare bedroom furniture, and knick-knacks will come later.
Ever since I started working back at Ace’s High, I haven’t seen Vicente once. Part of me is happy about that, but another small part wants to spot him, even from a distance.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about him often, whether it was reliving our sexual escapades while feeling entirely lonely, horny, and in need of the type of pleasure he gave me, or while stewing in my anger over everything he admitted to doing.
I try to figure out what it could’ve been about. He spent so much time scaring me, only so he could step in and be the savior. He played the hero role knowing he was the villain. But why? It has to have something to do with the night at the restaurant where the Italian mafia was having a celebration. Everything came to a brutal halt right after we left.
He spoke with the man he called Donati, but I don’t know why their conversation regarding whatever mafia business they have would have an effect on my relationship with him.
I spend the next two weeks dwelling on what could’ve happened and how I can find out. I’m not even concerned with him ending our non-relationship. I’m just the kind of person who needs answers. I need to understand a situation fully, otherwise it will drive me crazy as I think of scenarios that likely have nothing to do with it. Plus, I was important enough for him to use insane tactics to get me to fall under his spell, so I deserve to know why.
My phone dings from its place on the kitchen bar while I’m breading chicken. After I wash my hands, I pick up my cell and read the message from Autumn.
Girl, the whole gang's here. They’re gathering together in one of the smaller ballrooms. It was last minute. They seem to be celebrating something. Vicente is here with a girl.
I’m working the room, making sure they have everything they need and trying to eavesdrop.
I debate on how to respond. On one hand, I want to know everything. On the other, I don’t want to be privy to what he’s doing and with whom.
Maybe I feel like gambling.
We’re in ballroom C. So when they exit, they’ll have to walk right past the Wheel-of-Fortune slots.
I’ll be there soon.
