Page 92 of Strictly Forbidden

“Yes, you did and it was. Their murders changed me. Forever. However, I found it interesting the timing and the fact that you were once buddies with my grandfather. I didn’t know how close you were until recently. Then he decided he wanted to take a portion of your business. Is that how it was, Saldono? You decided that you’d teach him a lesson, but you couldn’t kill him because there would be a blood retaliation.”

While I was winging part of what I was saying, my mother had told me I was very good at embellishing a story and making it seem truthful. However, when I lifted my gaze, I could tell I’d pretty well hit the mark.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You know why I hired you. You were full of anger and potential.”

Now wasn’t the time to lose my cool. Exhaling as if nothing bothered me, I pulled out my phone, navigating to the photograph and simply sliding it across the table.

I’d never seen him turn such a pale shade of gray before.

He was already grinding his teeth, more sweat sliding down his puffy cheeks. I wanted nothing more than to blow his head off but remembered one good piece of advice my father had given me over the years.

If I wanted real revenge, I’d do so by living life to the fullest.

“You asked what I wanted, Saldono. You know what I want. I want my good name fully restored. I want your firstborn son to get the justice he deserves and only you can provide that. I’m going to allow you to handle that within your… house. But I will tell you this, if you dare attempt to lay a finger on the woman who brought me back to life, I will return and this time, your favorite restaurant will need a total renovation. Are we clear?”

I remained unblinking for some time, finally lifting a single eyebrow.

He took a deep breath and reached for his drink. I couldn’t help but notice his hand was shaking. “I’ll take it under advisement, Kage.”

My anger was just enough that when he smirked, I did react, jamming the blade of the steak knife into his hand. “See to it that you do.”

As I stood, I admired the pain I’d caused by securing his hand to the table. However, he wasn’t going to allow anyone to know he’d been hurt by a man formally in his employ.

And I certainly wasn’t going to say a word.

So, I simply walked out.

“What the hell was that about?” Big Eddy asked as he flanked my side.

“Keep your ear to the ground, my friend. I have a feeling some shit is going to go down.”

“You know I’m out of this business.”

When I lifted my head, he nodded. He knew he owed me more than one favor.

“Fine, I’ll keep my ear to the ground. I suggest you get out of here.”

Dan flanked my side as well. “Eddy is right. Lay low for now. Saldono doesn’t take kindly to being threatened.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t either. Thank you for your assistance, gentlemen. I had a feeling that’s all I’ll need for the time being.”

“I’ll call you if I hear anything,” Big Eddy said.

“You do that.”

I wasn’t even certain what to feel at that point although it seemed another weight had been lifted off my chest. I made it to my vehicle before I finally took a deep and very rattled breath.

And in the next few seconds, I could see Kelly’s face peering down at me from heaven. It was as if she was telling me that it was time to move on.

Tears formed in my eyes for the first time in so long. They stung as the truth finally settled in. It was time to go home to the woman I was already falling hard for.

I rubbed my eyes and started the truck, prepared to pull out when I heard another distinctive ring and not something I would use. That prompted me to remember I’d brought Noel’s real phone with me.

As soon as I pulled it into my hand, I noticed the call was coming from a detective she had listed on her contacts. What the hell. I had a very bad feeling about this. “Noel Young’s office.”

“Who the hell are you?” the gruff voice asked.

“A friend. What can I do for you, Detective?”

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