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I worked my butt off so I could buy that little house, that tiny part of the world that was just for me. But giving the Hades Brotherhood 10% of my net profit doesn't leave enough money to cover Lenny's care and the mortgage on the house. Not without strapping me so tight there will be no money left for emergencies.
And there are always emergencies.
For five years, I have worked long hours with no days off in order to get to a place where not only can the club profits support Lenny's care going forward, but I can take on a home mortgage and live a life away from the club.
Where I can take a day off here and there. But the only way the club stays solvent is to reinvest, to expand, to follow the plan. That plan only works with enough money.
I can't do that. It's not fair to the people who work for me not to be prepared for the unexpected. They're all relying on me to keep Nuovi Inizi going.
There is no point in putting it off. My realtor won't be in her office this late and I'm hoping she won't answer her work phone either. I want to leave a message. Maybe it will hurt less to say what needs saying that way.
I call and relief flows through me when the call goes to voicemail.
"I am sorry, Elaine." So, so sorry. As much for myself as the work she's wasted on this listing. "I have to cancel the purchase on the house. I know that means I give up my earnest money, but I have no choice."
I will lose thousands between the earnest money and everything I have paid for the appraisal, inspections and repairs for the underwriters to approve the loan.
It does not matter.
Nothing matters now.
ATLAS
It takes me longer to get back to Nuovi Inizi than it should. Zeus calls and wants a report on tonight's activities. In person.
There's no putting it off until tomorrow. My brother is in a piss poor mood and pulls theanaxcard. Our meeting takes twice as long as it should because Zeus refuses to take anything at face value.
By the time I'm back in my X7 and headed toward Lucia's place, my mood is as black as my brother's.
After the second attempt to turn off the building alarm, I realize Lucia changed it on me.Gamó.
Bringing up the disarming app on my phone, I get it started in time. I hope. When the beeping stops and the little light on the panel turns green, I let out my breath.
After the fiasco with the alarm, I am not surprised to find out she changed the unlock code on the door to the stairway. There's no app for this. It requires my analog skills at lock-picking. Same with the door to her apartment.
I would be happy my woman finally listened to me about changing the codes on her doors, except she did it to keep me out. Opening the door, a strange sound reaches me.
Like there's a wounded animal in Lucia's apartment.
The wounded animal is her.Ilios mou.
Halfway between the door and her bedroom, Lucia kneels on the floor, curled into herself. Her shoulders shake with her sobs.
What do I do? I am the executioner. Comfort is not in my skillset. But I cannot leave her like this.
First, I have to get her off the floor.
Squatting, I get one arm under her legs and wrap the other around her back. Lucia goes rigid before I can stand and throws herself away from me, landing on her side on the floor.
The skirt of her wrap dress rides up, showing every inch of her gorgeous legs. But the horror in her beautiful brown eyes throws a bucket of ice water on my libido.
"What are you doing here?" she demands, her voice hoarse.
How long has she been crying?
"I came to see you."
"I changed the locks." She scoots back and uses the wall behind her to help her stand, but she keeps her wary gaze on me.
