Page 89 of Filthy Little Games

“I’m not good for Creed Ferraro? Really?”

“He’s been through a lot lately. I don’t know why he’s latched onto you, but he’s not thinking clearly, hasn’t been since the raid when Carmine died.”

“Creed feels guilty, like he should’ve died instead of his brother,” I say in understanding. “He has to work that out in his own time.”

“I’m well aware he needs time to come to terms with what happened. But Creed is responsible for hundreds of people. You know that, too, don’t you?”

“I didn’t know how many.”

“Hundreds of people depend on him to pay their bills and support their families.”

“And you depend on him as well to earn your big paydays for those fancy suits, right?”

“I would be just fine if Creed walked away from being the head of the Five Families or gets thrown in prison. Financially, I mean. I’ll be right there with him in prison. But he’s also my friend, first and foremost. Yes, he’s made me a very rich man, but I would trade every penny to keep him alive.”

“Then, you’re a good friend.”

“He’s the reason Dre went to law school after he got out of the military. Do you know why?”

“No?”

“Because Dre knew Creed would need a damn good attorney,not just for his business dealings, but to at least have someone with criminal defense attorney associates who could keep him out of prison. And for the past ten years, he’s done his part to keep him alive and free. Creed was always rational, which helped. But then you came along. Now Dre will lose his law license because of the charges from that raid you dragged them into. I just know that it’s only a matter of time before you bring about Creed’s downfall. That’s why you need to go.”

“I think you’re giving me way too much credit. Creed won’t even touch me anymore.”

“What?” Lorenzo asks, his brow furrowed.

“We’re not sleeping together,” I tell him. “We share the same bed every night, but he hasn’t touched me in weeks.”

“Why not?”

His question makes me cough out a laugh. “I wish I knew the answer to that question, but I’m afraid I’m at a complete loss. We’ve never even had sex.”

“Then, what the fuck?” Lorenzo asks. He rubs the back of his neck as he thinks it over. “Creed said you two hadn’t, and I thought he was full of shit. I could’ve sworn the man was so pussy whipped, he wasn’t thinking clearly, and now you say that’s not even happening...”

“He’s still upset about Carmine. He doesn’t think he deserves anything good in his life,” I explain. “Yes, he’s trying to get my daughter back to me, but as for the rest, it has nothing to do with me.”

“Oh, it definitely has something to do with you. The man risked everything when he killed his ally’s son for you, when he didn’t even know a damn thing about you, except that you were responsible for his brother’s death.”

“That was not my fault. I had no idea what Izaiah was planning to do. Am I glad that Creed killed him? Hell yes, but Ineverwould’ve asked Creed to do that. His death doesn’t really solve anyof my problems. Yes, I hated his visits and constant blackmail, but I was enduring it just fine. And now... now Emilio thinks I killed him. That’s why Creed won’t let me leave the apartment, isn’t it?”

“Well, the man’s car was found near your apartment in Queens. It wouldn’t take a genius to put two and two together.”

“Fuck,” I mutter, covering my face with my hands. “I should’ve realized. Creed hasn’t told me but, I should’ve known that Emilio would blame me. I hate that son of a bitch.”

“We all do, too, but he’s a useful ally. And his father’s best friend.” Lorenzo’s phone dings, and he pulls it out of his pocket. “They’re on the way up.”

“Thank god,” I sigh. “Did he…did he say anything else?”

“No. It was just Dre saying they’re back.”

Lorenzo and I both go out to the elevator to wait for them. “Thanks for the talk,” I tell him. “It was a nice distraction from going out of my mind worrying about them.”

“No problem.”

The doors open and Creed steps out first. There doesn’t appear to be any tears or blood on his black clothing, which is a relief.

Dre and Triston exit after him.

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