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“You ran. That’s understandable. But you owe us money. That is unacceptable. Where’s our money?”
“Are you deaf? I don’t have it, all right? I can’t conjure it up out of thin air. When Natalie opens the vault, I’ll get it, all right.”
“She’s had five years. There’s only a week until the vault burns up. Time’s running out. What makes you think she’ll get it out now?”
“Please, Angelo. Don’t kill me.”
I take a look at her BMW, this year’s model. Then I take in the Gucci handbag on the passenger seat. “You look like you prioritized other things,” I say at last.
Her lips turn into a sneer. “You fucking Genovese scum. If my husband was still alive—”
“If Derek was still alive, I’d be talking to him but he’s not. You’re alive and you know how we operate. You’ve had years to get the money together. You must have known we’d find you eventually.”
“I’ve been waiting for Natalie to use the box to get into the vault. It’s not my fault she’s sitting on it and doing fuck all about it.”
“Maybe it doesn’t open any fortune. Maybe it’s just a box and the vault’s empty. What was your plan for that eventuality?”
“Give me some time. If I could find out where she’s hidden the box, I could try it myself.”
“So you know how it works?”
“No, but I’ll work it out. Please, give me more time.”
“You’ve had plenty. You’ve got one week to make her open the vault.”
“You can’t do this. Please, have mercy on me.”
“I look like the type that does mercy? You heard nothing about how I operate?” I let go of the car door, giving her a smile. “Seven days, Winnie. Either I get the cash or you pay with your life. Your choice.”
I feel eyes on me as she drives away. I turn around and Natalie’s looking at me out of the window of her store. She catches my eye, turning back to her computer, typing too fast. I watch her for a moment.
I want to go back inside. It would be a bad idea. She’s got a child. Could be mine. That would complicate things real fast.
I’m not here to become a family man. I’m not built that way.
I’m only here to see if she’s got the box. She doesn’t need to know anything about me. About how I’ve spent years in hiding until the heat died down over the death of her mother. About the fact we finally tracked them down and now I’m here to steal from her and collect on Derek’s debts at the same time. Better she stays ignorant, runs her peaceful little life in her peaceful little town.
I don’t want to think about that night five years ago. The night she almost died. The night we fucked. The best sex I had in my life. Like nothing I’ve ever known and I still can’t work out why. Just something gelled between us like I’ve never experienced in my life.
Doesn’t matter. She’s got a kid. Got a life. Better I don’t get involved. I can’t be a parent. Even if I wanted to, it’s been too long.
I shouldn’t even have gone in there to see her. I could have cased her place without getting close. Had to go in and talk to her though, didn’t I? Couldn’t resist, could I?
I force myself to move away from the bookstore. Every fiber of my being wants to go in there, strip her out of that sweater and jeans combo, slam her up against that plate glass window, thrust up into her while she stares out at this quiet little street outside.
I get in my car and race out of town. By the time I come back, I’ll either get the money we’re owed or I’ll be in the property market. I’ll own the cupcake store, the realtor’s office, a garden center, a half dozen residential lets and most importantly, a bookstore going by the name of Aladdin’s Cave.
* * *
“Are you telling me to become a monk?” Father asks.
I sit opposite my father, watching a smile spread across his lips as he flicks through the book’s pages. “It’s not even my birthday for another month.”
“Thought you could do with some guidance. You’re burning through cash so fast we’re going to be renting out rooms in this place soon.”
He laughs. “Plenty more money coming when you bring me the box.” He lights a cigar, puffing smoke into the air around him. “Last chance, Angelo.”
“I know that.”
