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“Let’s hear it.”
“We work together.”
Three words.
More like three bombs.
Because that’s what it felt like in that warehouse. Like someone had dropped three bombs, not just one. Her men just stood there, side by side, gauging our reaction. I was left staring at her for a few moments, not knowing how to respond to this insane idea of hers.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Leonardo grumbled, cocking his head in a spasm of frustration. “I told you, you assholes. Coming here was a shitty idea. We should have told her to fuck off or something.”
“Work with the people who shot up an entire bar, just to get to me and my crew?” Cesare asked his wobbly voice indicating how hard he had to try to keep his anger at bay. “Thanks, but no, thanks. You’re right. We’ve made mistakes, sure, but we’re not stupid. I’m not going to be allies with the same bastards that…”
“Were almost killed in the same bar as you?” she interrupted, her face twisting into an expression of anger. “For the love of god, Cesare! You saw those pictures! You know damn well that this was a trap!”
“Damn straight,” Rocco agreed with his boss, his voice bass deep. “We received word from a certain Don. I’m not going to mention his name, but his exact words were: ‘Those three little fucks have caused too much damage. Take care of them.’ When a Don gives you an order, you obey. So, yeah. We did try to get rid of you, but the truth is, we were all targeted that night.”
“Explain this to me,” I said, feeling the tension in the air thicken by the minute. “Let’s say we believe you. I know the mob doesn’t like sensational stuff, like shooting in public and in broad daylight. Why did they change their tactics?”
“Sometimes, they don’t have a choice,” Rocco replied, shaking his head sideways. “If we all died in that bar, it would have saved them a whole lot of trouble. I guess they believed the reward was worth the risk.”
“Give us some time to think about this,” Cesare spoke in a firm tone, his gaze settled on Maggie. “We’ll call you with our decision.”
“Gentlemen…” She paused and pursed her lips. “This is the only way for you to get out of this alive. The only way for you to keep the people closest to you safe. Like your lady friend. Think long and hard before you turn down my offer.”
Lady friend…
She didn’t say her name, but she didn’t have to. I for one, knew who she was talking about. The girl with the gorgeous hair and curves for days. That was definitely Piper.
Cesare preferred silence over coming up with a rebuttal. Leonardo just looked away in derision, while I mumbled a “goodnight.” One by one, we strolled out of that warehouse. With our heads down low. Silent. Worried. Unsure how to proceed. We were at a crossroad. The direction we would take would shape our future. And, as Maggie mentioned, it would also define the future of a girl we had known for a while. I agreed with her, even though I didn’t like her so much. We had a decision to make; a big one. We couldn’t reach it in an hour or two. We needed to sit down with each other and study every aspect of that decision. Otherwise, the chances of us making another mistake were much too high.
28
PIPER
“I wishI didn’t have to leave.”
Leo’s words had been dwelling on my mind for days. The look in his eyes proved that he meant them. There was a certain sorrow in them, sprinkled with a bit of regret.
I forgave him that day. I understood he had another engagement.
I couldn’t forgive what he didn’t do the day after that. And the day after that.
Radio silence.
Complete disappearance.
It was like he had dropped off the face of the Earth.
I did try to contact him. I texted and called more than once.
Yet, texts went unanswered. Calls lasted about ten seconds each and ended with a promise on his part.
“I’m busy right now. I’ll call you back later.”
Well, guess what.
He didn’t.
