Page 122 of Mob Princess

I love you

Lina

Will you kill me if I stay here? What are you going to do to me if I go to Boston?

Justin

You keep saying I’ll hurt you. You know I would never lay a hand on you. You know you’re not that serious about Sean. You’ve known him a minute. You can be with someone who loves you. You love me. You’ve said as much.

Lina’s eyes close for a moment.

Lina

As the brother I should have had. I’ve told you that for years. That I love you as a close friend and that you’re the brother I wish I had. You know that’s not the same. You know it’ll never grow into something different. You don’t want someone else to have what you want. If you can’t have me no one can.

Justin

High opinion of yourself. No. Sean is a threat to you. Find someone who won’t put your life in danger. Even if it isn’t me.

Lina

This is getting too hard to text. We’re going to go around in circles. Meet me. Talk to me Justin. Don’t terrify me. Don’t manipulate me. Talk to me

Justin

So you can manipulate me?

Lina

I don’t manipulate you. I tell you flat out what I do or don’t want you to do. If it doesn’t match what I want then oh well. I don’t trick you. That’s the shit everyone does to me. Fuck you if you think you can manipulate me. That’s what you’re trying to do. Don’t turn this shit on me. Either you talk to me in person like a grown ass man or don’t talk to me ever again. I won’t care what the fuck happens to you. You can fuck all the way off.

It’s my turn to tense.

She raises her right hand and pats the air, telling me to hold on.

Justin

Come alone

Lina

You know there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that’s happening. I don’t trust you and Sean will go fucking ape shit. We meet somewhere neutral. You can have your knife, and I’ll have mine. No guns for either of us. My guard stays where he can see me and get to me but neither of you have a clear shot. Our backs to walls facing the doors and windows.

Justin

Fine where?

Lina

The restaurant at the hotel I stayed at. Crowded but won’t make my guard twitch.

Justin

When?

She glances at her watch.

Lina

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