Page 128 of King of the Cage

After tucking Giada into our bed, I sat on the chair beside it and watched her sleep. There was something intensely mesmerizing about the way the moonlight moved across her face.

What if she never remembered me? What if this was the last night we’d ever spend together?

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

We need to talk.I’m outside. - Elio.

I reluctantly leftGiada and headed downstairs. Elio stood outside his car with a folder in his hand. He jerked his head toward the pub.

“Is she there? She snuck out on her security detail tonight. One man managed to catch up with her in time to see her go inside. I figured she’d be safe enough with you.”

I put a hand to my chest. “Wow, I’m touched. Our relationship is really evolving.”

Elio chuckled. It was alarming. I hadn’t known the man was capable of it.

“I’ve been thinking about your problem with this investment group, or whatever pretend name they have for it. I get that your hands are tied by your father not wanting to get involved. I have no problem with it. I’m saying that I’m with you, and my men are with you, too. Let’s burn down The Enclave from the inside out and lose the Z Juice recipe… until someone else cooks one up, that is.”

“There is no end to the evil of men,” I muttered, quoting thePalach. “What do you want in return?”

“What makes you think I want something in return?”

“I’m a mind reader, it’s a gift. What you got there?”

Elio held the folder out to me. “We’ll help you take down The Enclave. In return, you sign these papers.”

I opened the folder, already knowing what I’d see. Divorce papers.

I gripped the edge hard. “And I thought we were getting on so well lately.”

Elio shrugged. “We are. Our new business dealings over our shared little patch of river are no longer because you’re married to my sister. You can let her go. Nothing will change. Tell your dad that. He has my guarantee.”

The papers felt like a dead weight in my hand.

“Like I told you, I never married her because of my father,” I reminded Elio.

He thought on it and shrugged. “Regardless, she doesn’t know you. Let her go.”

I thought of the story of the selkie, and my mam, and Da. The cruel and arrogant man who’d stolen the selkie’s skin so he could keep her, never once asking how she felt about life on land.

I held my hand out to Elio for his pen. He seemed surprised but handed it over. I turned and leaned the documents against his car, thumbing through them, looking for the places to sign. A few seconds later, it was done.

I gave them back to him.

“Just like that?” he wondered.

I nodded. “Just like that. I’m giving her back her skin.”

I stepped backinto the apartment, and Giada jumped guiltily. She stood at the window.

“Your brother is outside for you,” I told her. “But I guess you saw that.”

She nodded. “What did you sign?” She cut right to the chase.

“What do you think?”

Maybe she had no idea what her brother was trying to push.

“Divorce papers,” she said immediately, shooting that idea down dead.

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