Page 216 of Remy

I stare. Numb with shock. “Are you fucking with me? This was all a hoax?”

“Not a hoax. A learned experience without the heartache.”

I scrutinize him. I stare so fucking hard, trying to read him, that my temples throb. “You’re serious… You made me think you would order her death if I so much as touched her.”

“Mmm.” He nods. “Which was problematic in itself. And probably a subconscious act of rebellion to my own actions, because historically, what does one usually do when told not to do something?”

What the absolute fuck?

“I wanted to ensure you didn’t make a decision you would regret later,” he continues. “But it’s obvious now you’ve made your choice.”

“There was no choice.” I raise my voice. “I tried walking away. Numerous times. I would’ve fucking ignored her existence if any part of me felt that was even slightly possible. But she’s always there—in my fucking head, her voice in my ears, her scent in my godforsaken lungs. She’s just—” I cut myself off, not wanting to admit I’m out of control because of this woman.

Lorenzo’s smile is forlorn. “She’s your heart’s choice. Logic doesn’t have any say in it.”

I gape. I can’t fucking help it.

I’d thought he was psychotic. Reality is, he’s a lovesick romantic.

“Does she feel the same about you?” he asks.

“Yes.” I nod. “I wish she didn’t but she does.”

“And will she continue to feel the same once the full terms of the current agreement come to completion?”

A knife twists into my stomach, the pain unignorable. “I don’t know.”

His expression softens. “Her father’s death will be hard.”

I raise my chin, taking the reminder head-on. “It will.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He grabs his walking stick and pushes to his feet. “And now I’ll leave you to curse my actions in private.”

“Wait. Did you pull this shit with Matthew and Bishop? Why didn’t I hear about them having to endure your meddling?”

He hobbles around the closest sofa toward the hall. “Because they have spent more than a decade in the lifestyle. They entered their relationships knowing the risks. You’re still green, my boy.”

And I’ve never felt the color more adamantly than I do now.

“But please take my warnings to heart.” Lorenzo pauses in the doorway. “You need to keep your distance from her until news of the rescinded hit has spread. It doesn’t need to be too long. But the next few days are imperative.”

I nod, the sweetest adrenaline flooding my veins. “I will.”

And then it’s going to be a free-for-all.

36

OLIVIA

11:45 a.m. Me

Any news? I’m worried.

11:50 a.m. Me

Please tell me you’re okay.

12:01 p.m. Me

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