Page 49 of Merciful Lies

The temperature is set at 65 degrees, but being pregnant makes me feel constantly warm. I hear a commotion in the hallway, and I walk to the door.

When I open it, I’m greeted with a sight I wouldn’t have expected in a million years.

Angel Fury has his arms wrapped around Giselle, and he’s kissing the hell out of her. Her eyes look glazed over when he finally lifts his head.

“Get inside, Koukla,” he grunts, swatting her ass before dipping his chin at me.

Giselle blinks slowly. Then she walks right towards me, her eyes wide and her lower lip between her teeth.

I have so many questions.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN-NICO

Ifrown as my phone buzzes, but I don’t ignore it.

Typically, I do not allow interruptions when I’m in business meetings, but ever since Anna came into my life, I feel a compulsion to be available at all times.

I mean, fuck, if she needed me and I was too busy to answer, I’d never forgive myself.

I grab my phone and glance at it, reading the name of the person texting me. It’s Angel with an update.

Seems my wife invited a friend over today. A female friend, so that makes it okay, but still, I need to have a talk with her about that.

Of course, Anna can have anyone she wants over, but she should tell me first so I can clear it with security.

Angel’s got something going on with that Giselle woman, Anna’s best friend, so he allowed her to come up the elevator. But if he wasn’t still on guard dog duty, she’d never have passed clearance.

“Mr. Fury?” my realtor says my name, and I turn my gaze to him.

He can’t hold it very long. So, he drops his eyes and taps the document he wants me to look at.

It’s a prospectus for a new development down the shore. One of those retirement complexes for people over fifty places, but I think I’ll pass.

For some reason, I’m more interested in the project to build low income housing right here in Jersey City. Sure, the government has plenty of spots, but those buildings are shit holes.

Overrun with violence, drugs, and ill health.

People need a better place to start. Families need a place to live where they feel safe.

Maybe I’m feeling sentimental because my own son is growing inside my wife at this very moment, and both of them mean the world to me.

“I want to invest in the project on Kearny Avenue,” I tell him and stand up.

I’m done with this meeting.

“But Mr. Fury,” he starts, and I spin on my heel.

“Did I stutter, Borello?”

“No, sir,” he mutters.

“Good.”

I leave, ready to be done with the day, so I can take my wife to dinner. But I’m not finished yet. I have an appointment to visit some guys at city hall.

Fucking politicians and city employees. Every single one of them has their hand out, and yet, they call me the gangster. What a fucking joke.

But it’s the cost of doing business and Viper Enterprises has earned its place in the hierarchy of moguls and corporations working the system.

---