Page 88 of The Heir

My mind was already in a million directions, her bullshit was the icing on the cake. I let off the throttle and half twisted to see her. She panicked and whacked me on the shoulder.

“I’m fucking kidding, Jesus Christ, Blaze. Eyes on the road.”

“Trista!” I barked, while she hid her face against my back and cackled.

I said a silent prayer for patience and luckily recalled the way to Makaveli’s house with her only having to point once or twice.

“You’re the best one. My favorite, I swear.” Trista was still laughing when we arrived.

“The best one, I’m her second fucking boyfriend.”

Trista’s smile flatlined, “I meant out of those dickheads. My niece didn’t cock hop. It isn’t her style. She doesn’t open up to people very easily.”

“I know.”

The front door of Makaveli’s door squeaked as he stepped outside. He descended the steps slowly and took a careful path across the yard. When he hopped over a patch of mulch, I noticed he was barefoot. He didn’t have a shirt on, and there was still a chill in the air. He shoved his hands under his arms and saluted me with his chin, “What’s up?”

“Brought her to see you,” I lied.

“Pfft, I didn’t come to see that ugly bastard, I came to smoke with Izzy,” Trista announced before scampering across the yard.

I laughed and shook my head.

“Easy left her at my house,” I explained.

He gave a slow nod, his hazel eyes slowly cutting toward me.

“You’re not mad at her?”

“Her?” I placed a little bit of accusation into the word and waited to see if he’d squirm or squeal as Oak said.

Mak laughed, his eyes lighting up a bit, “She’s my only daughter, Blaze. What the fuck would she even do in Georgia? Would I have even seen her again?”

I took in his words, and stuffed my fingers into my pockets, letting my thumbs dangle outside, “I never intended to take her from you. I thought I was going to prison. Don came and said he’d make the shit go away if I married her. I– didn’t realize he meant for me to leave with her, but–”

I nodded, having deduced that was his– or at least her plan.

“I didn’t marry her to get out of jail free, I really do love her.”

He gave an amused grunt.

“I do,” I doubled down.

“Blaze,” He reached up and framed his jaw with his hand, running his fingers along the blond stubble while he stared off into the distance. “Did you ever hear about my wedding?”

I wasn’t sure if I should answer honestly or not. Mak and I were on newly forged grounds, and I wasn’t even sure if it was friendly soil yet.

“My mother mentioned something about Demetri Valentino’s sister– That Izzy?”

“Mhm.” he mumbled, “Sure was. Demetri executed my mother, he tried to assassinate my father, he murdered my wife, took my sister hostage, and then demanded I marry his sister.”

Something cold rushed through my veins and my heart did a somersault.

“Jesus,” I managed.

“Oh, no. He was straight out of the bowels of hell. Jesus and God didn’t have nothing to do with the likes of that mother fucker.”

“Damn.” That was high praise considering the source.

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