Page 79 of Remy

“Who told you that?” I step closer, standing like a sentry beside her chair.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Salvatore smirks.

“Yeah, I would, asshole. If my men are going behind my back to report to you on things that don’t require your involvement, I deserve to be informed.”

“It wasn’t your men.” Lorenzo’s focus turns to me, oddly reassuring. “I received a phone call from a police officer last night who wanted to make sure there was nothing he could do to help assist with the situation between my nephew and his girlfriend.” His attention turns inquisitive. “Which was quite a surprise when I didn’t know you were dating.”

“It was even more surprising since the request came just a day after you called claiming you were out trolling to get laid,” Salvatore adds.

“We’re not dating. It was?—”

Lorenzo raises a silencing finger. “Olivia is more than capable of informing me of how all this came to pass.”

He’s testing her. Sizing her up. Or at least determining the threat she poses.

But, unlike with her father, she can’t lie to Lorenzo. Can’t even manipulate the truth. Any hint of deceit will ensure this ends badly.

“Please, mia cara,” he coaxes. “Tell me how you and my nephew came to be familiar.”

She peers up at me, questioning.

Shit.

I try to convey my thoughts through a look of calm reassurance. “It’s okay. You can?—”

“Remy, enough,” my uncle barks. “Allow my guest to speak.”

Ollie’s eyes widen on me, her fear showing. Then, in a blink, she reins it in and focuses on the man likely to order her death. “It’s a long story…”

His smile returns. “Not to worry. I may be old, but I still have time.”

She gives another swallow. Another glance in my direction for approval.

All I can do is incline my head.

She keeps her gaze on me as she speaks. “It started early Saturday morning. I was at work, having stayed late to try to get on top of my duties. I fell asleep in the break room.” Those troubled eyes lose focus, lost in memory. “I woke to the sound of Remy and his men entering the building.”

“That must have been quite the surprise,” Salvatore drawls.

She blinks out of her daze and addresses Lorenzo. “I was scared, to say the least.”

“Understandable.” He winces with empathy.

I step forward. “I made sure?—”

My uncle’s glowering eyes snap to mine, one hard look of disapproval enough to force my mouth shut again. “If it’s difficult for you to refrain from interrupting, it might be best if you wait in the living room.”

My pulse becomes thunderous. “I’m not going anywhere.”

His attention narrows. He’s trying to figure out what she means to me.

I’d like to fucking understand that myself.

“Please continue, Olivia.” He turns a softened parental gaze back to her. “He won’t interfere again.”

“I walked in on two men carrying the limp body of a middle-aged male.” She clears her throat. “At the time, I wasn’t aware he was dead, but it was obvious there was something illegal going on.”

Lorenzo grasps the desk behind him on either side of his hips. Knuckles white. Annoyance evident. “And?”

---