Page 25 of Something Blue

“What the fuck is his problem?” one cop mutters to the other.

Patting me down he digs around in my pocket, pulling out whatever he finds.

“He won’t stop smiling. Hey, fuck face, what are you smiling about? You’re going to jail.”

“He’s probably high.”

“Oh shit - I know who this is.” His partner stammers, flipping my wallet open and looking at the name on my credit card.

Nervously he shifts and glancing around himself. “Shit.” He mutters. “Ah. Dude, no, we need to?—”

“What are you doing to my son?” My father’s voice makes them both spin around.

“Uh - he was in a fight.” The nervous cop mutters. “Mr. Vece, we weren’t aware?—”

“Vincent Vece?” the other cop says in shock, finally catching up with the rest of us.

A deep chuckle rumbles though me while I enjoy their nervous discomfort.

“It’s ok boys. You were doing your job.” My father says calmly, handing them an envelope that no doubt has a thick wad of cash in it. “I understand the other guy started the fight?” he asks, his brows raised.

“Yeah, it was the other guy.” They both nod, their bodies rigid and tense.

“Then why is my son in handcuffs?”

“Oh this - it was just - it was -take them off.” Cop number two hisses at his partner who fumbles with the key and releases me.

I turn to face them, snatching my wallet out of cop number one’s hands. “Have a nice nightboys.” I smirk.

My father pulls his mouth tight and glares at me.

I grin. “Thanks, dad. It really was the other guy who started it.”

“Go home, Celso. I told you to keep your head down.”

I nod. “Yeah, I’m going home now. This place is a shit hole, anyway.” My father watches as I walk towards my car and climb inside. When I drive off, he is still standing next to the cop car.

On my way I pass an ambulance, sirens blaring as it rushes towards the club with its emergency lights flashing and blinding me.

“So dramatic.” I mutter, turning off the main street and heading towards my penthouse.

At home I’m pacing up and down. I can’t stop thinking about what she said.

She didn’t mean it.

She will soon find out for herself that I am the right man for her.

My sister needs to stop interfering. So does Masaccio. He needs to mind his own fucking business.

Or I need to find another way to get to Neve.

If Neve wants to play hard to get, I will play harder to get her.

That night, lying in bed, staring up at the stark white ceiling, my mind is churning with options and ideas. She doesn’t stand a chance. I won’t stop until I have her.

CHAPTER NINE

Neve

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