Page 53 of Malicious Desires

He gives me a nod in greeting and I greet him with a hint of formality, “Hello, Chief Exton.”

“Good day, Reece,” he responds.

My father glares at me. “Enough with the pleasantries,” he bites out, still glaring at me, now with more malice.

“This is not a pleasant visit then?” I ask, glancing between them both for an answer.

“No, Reece, it is not,” Alaric voices.

“Is Malyk ok?” I ask, concerned for my best friend’s welfare with his uncle being here.

“Yes, Malyk is as fine as my delinquent of a nephew can be. I’m here as a warning.”

My father clears his throat. “You’ve been careless, son,” my father berates.

“With what?”

Alaric steps into my personal space, which causes me to shrink back, stumbling a little towards the door.

“You involved Bartholomew in business you were told to keep private,” he informs me.

I scoff, even though I’m shaking in my boots.

“Are you fucking serious? I couldn’t have kept anything about that incident from Barth. He knew. It was his girlfriend that was assaulted.”

“Yes, and we were aware of that, but you dealt with the accused in a manner that was far beyond what was needed and involved Bartholomew in the clean up. He didn’t exactly do that discreetly,” Alaric informs me, his tone accusatory and stern.

Again I scoff, frustrated with my cousin for being sloppy.

“So, go tell Barth that and give him a talking to instead. I did what I always do, and that’s to off Capullo scum.”

Alaric frowns. “One day soon, if this involvement of others outside of our arrangement continues, dear boy I will not be able to turn a blind eye.”

“You’d take your nephew’s best friend away? Without a care for his well-being?”

“I would despise having to do so, but the choice would not be mine.”

“Would I pay for all my crimes?”

“Yes, so please be more careful dear boy, and it will not come to that. I appreciate your efforts in keeping our streets free of those that will to cause harm to the greater good.”

“Noted, Chief Exton. I’ll be more careful,” I reply, nodding and air quoting for emphasis. I turn to glare at my father. “Nothing to say, Father?”

“Nothing that you want to hear.”

“Fine, then I’ll be going,” I announce, turning towards the door. My father stops me though, tugging on my arm.

“Not so fast, son. I said you’d not want to hear what I have to say, however, you need to hear it.”

Wrenching my arm free, I huff. Alaric nods at my father. “I’ll be off Giovanni. Good day.”

“Good day Alaric, and thank you for your support and discretion.”

“Always for you, Giovanni.”

Alaric leaves then, leaving me alone with my father. Once more I turn to leave, but my exit is halted by my father’s booming voice, “Reece Mattheus Montserrat! Don’t you dare leave before we speak.”

Turning to face him–not moving closer–I smile, albeit a fake one, but still, it’s a smile. He sees right through the facade I’m trying to put on.

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