Page 100 of Forever Fake

“That is me. I am at your, and your family’s, service.”

“They’re talking about you, aren’t they? You’re going to be our new don?”

“Yes. My father does not want to leave Italy, so the honor passes to me. Why… why do you frown?”

“Aren’t you kind of young? You’re not married either, are you?” I don’t know why I’m grilling him. I’m just surprised, I guess.

“Yes, well, I’m sure I will have to prove myself before the family in New York sees me as worthy of my new role. But I never back down from a challenge.” He stands straighter, squaring his shoulders.

“Easy there, tiger. No one’s putting you on the spot, yet.”

“You just said I am too young.”

“Good point. If I said it out loud, then you can bet everyone else is thinking it.”

He scowls, surveying those in the room.

“There you are, magpie.” Blake loops his arm around my waist, pulling me into a possessive hold. “Want to introduce me to your friend?”

“This is Maximo Pontrelli. We briefly met when I was in Italy. Maximo, this is my husband, Blake Baron.”

They both grunt in greeting and shake each other’s hands. Maximo politely excuses himself, leaving me and Blake to ourselves.

“How are you feeling?” I ask him, concerned since he’s still healing.

“I’m fine. Don’t fret about me. However, I wouldn’t mind getting out of here soon, if you’re ready to go. I have a surprise waiting for you.”

“Oh?”

He’s been out of the hospital for only one day, what has he been up to in that short amount of time?

“I think you’ll really like it,” he murmurs close to my ear.

A shiver runs through me, peaking my nipples. We haven’t had sex in what feels like forever and I’m in desperate need of him.

“What is this surprise?”

“Let me give you a hint.” From his pocket, he retrieves a small enamel pin, in the shape of a magpie.

Four for death.

“For my father’s death?” I ask.

“It’s kind of a two for one deal.”

“Blake, what is this place?” The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as we move further underground, deep into the bowels of a shady looking warehouse.

“I call it storage.” He grips my hand more firmly. “Don’t worry, nothing can hurt you down here. Promise.”

“What do you usually store down here?”

“Contraband. Secrets… People.”

Oh my god. “And we’re here because..?”Death. But what does that mean? Whose death?

“Because today is the day that you put all of your demons to rest. This morning you buried the man you knew as your father. This evening you’ll bury another man who hurt you.” He shoves open a squeaky metal door and a dim light flickers on.

My gaze immediately latches onto Oliver’s nude form. He’s strapped to a chair in the center of the room.

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