Page 50 of Toxic Things I Love About You

“If you go left, they will go down in number.”

“Fine. But that wasn’t exactly what I was wondering. Vinny, are you stalking me?”

I knew in my purse was a small gun Roman had gotten me just yesterday, and I still had my syringe. Not that any of that would really matter at the end of the day if my uncle had more people.

“Now, Uncle, why would I go anywhere with you?”

“Because you’re curious about what it is I have to say?”

It was a question, good. He wasn’t sure what the answer was.

“Not really. But thanks. Bye now.”

“Wait. Wait. You’ll meet me because if you don’t, you know that your business will fail and everything Parks and Roman have worked for will amount to nothing.”

I hadn’t realized it, but I was twirling a bit of hair between my fingers.

“I don’t think you will ever get that far, but if I meet with you, will you go away?”

“No, my dear, but the information as to who really killed your brother will. I’m fairly certain the Demarco boys would like to know who their father was framed for killing.”

Well, that was interesting that he even knew.

“I already told Roman. Try again.”

“How about I give you the name of the leader of the Lords?”

That had me swallowing every little quip I could come up with.

“Now you have my attention.”

“Good. Meet my car in ten minutes. If you change your mind, I promise you will regret more than just not getting the information that will save your family’s business.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant, and I hated that he had one freaking thing that could actually help me. I could actually come back to my cousin and Roman with real helpful information, and I could be useful.

Roman. I missed him, and it was more than just his dick.

I wanted to call him and tell him that maybe I could do something worth his time. I could be helpful.

I could be in charge.

My feet seemed to be driven by the idea that I could be more. I could be more than just a woman who could pull a trigger. I could be more than just the woman behind a strong man. I could be the woman I always wanted to be. Too bad I didn’t exactly know what that woman looked like. Interesting.

Still, I smiled. This was a forward motion, and I always moved forward. There was no point in looking back. No point in regrets.

I, Emilee Rossi, would come back on my terms with answers that would save my company and then everyone would be proud of me. They would include me.

I’d belong.

I straightened my back and strode forward like I owned this damn city because I would. I would own the city and everything in it, including Roman, but this time I would choose him on my own terms.

That put a smile on my face. For now, I needed space to grow.

“Daddy, screw you,” I said under my breath as I waited for the crosswalk, because safety first.

SEVENTEEN

roman

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