Page 82 of This Thing of Ours

“I want a new identity. Go somewhere no one knows me. Start fresh. I know you can make that happen.”

“We’re not the fucking witness protection program,” Marco barked.

Derek eyeballed him again. He had to admit, the kid had balls. “No. I bet you’re better.”

Nico jumped in. “Let’s say I agree. What do I get in return?”

“The location of my father. Everything I know to help you take him out.”

“Why the change of heart? Why now?” Marco interrupted again.

Derek shook his head. “Not a change of heart. My heart has never been in it. I’ve just never had a way out until now. And witnessing my father gun down your home, knowing women and children were there,” he shook his head again, “I couldn’t be a part of that any longer. Not without losing a fundamental piece of me.”

Nico sat quietly for a moment before he spoke. “Okay. You’ve got yourself a deal. Start talking.”

And Dmitri Volkov, AKA Derek Miller, did just that.

Marco stared athis phone for a full minute before he hit the button that would connect him to Gabriella. They were about to go after Ivan Volkov, and he wanted to check in with her before shutting off his phone. He hesitated because he didn’t want to lie. But he also didn’t want to tell the truth and leave her worrying all night.

The phone rang twice before she picked up. “Hey, perfect timing. I was just getting ready for bed.”

“I’m glad I didn’t wake you.”

“I would’ve waited up until I heard from you. You going to bed?”

“Soon. Nico and I have some shit to do first.”

Truth.

She made a humming noise that he took as an acknowledgment.

“What did you do today?” he asked, wanting to keep the conversation focused on her.

“Oh, you know, the usual house-arrest stuff. I painted my toenails, kicked Olivia’s butt in gin rummy, and watched a lot of TV.” She paused a moment before adding, “I won’t ask you the same question.”

Marco chuckled. “Smart girl.”

“Not sure how smart it is, but I figure it’s better for my sanity to stay in the dark.”

Marco took a deep breath as a weight lifted off his shoulders. He wouldn’t need to stretch the truth. “Get some sleep, cara mia, and I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Okay.”

“Tell me you love me.”

“You know I do.”

“I need the words, streghetta.”

“I love you, Marco.”

“I love you, too.”

He was about to click off when he heard, “Marco?”

“Yeah?”

“Be careful doing whatever it is I don’t want to know you’re doing.”

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