Page 49 of Shark Bait

“It’s just this one time,” Shark answers. “For her.”

SEVENTEEN

ARE WE A COUPLE?

TROY

After unloading my burdens on Alessio’s capable shoulders and placing the joy of vengeance into Shark’s capable hands, I excuse myself to go the bathroom, where I throw up and then allow myself a proper cry.

While I bawl my eyes out, I think about how my family is probably thinking about me today. During the timehewas recruiting me, it never occurred to me to question him. Not once. It all sounded perfectly legitimate, because it was, and when I recall the amount of paperwork he made me sign, I wonder how many women he managed to entrap this way.

If I showed up on my dad’s doorstep and he took me to the police station for questioning, I wonder if they’d believe my story. The gaps in my memory as well as my general phobia of thinking about the days I spent in a cage where Falena put me and the nights I spent terrified of Fis and his crew, wouldn’t do me any good. I would have to testify.

No way.

I’m never talking about this ordeal ever again.

But damn it, I’m mad at myself that I was such easy prey. When Falena signed me, I was over the moon, thinking I could write a song I’d hear people sing on social media someday. NowI wonder if there were any other candidates or if I was the only dumbass he managed to lure in with a promise of a few hundred grand.

Now that I have millions, a few hundred grand seems like nothing, but Denver could sure use the cash. I’ll need to ask Shark about how I can make an anonymous donation or a transfer in his name. I want him to have some of that money. He’d land a great gig and could even become famous. Really famous, the way he always dreamed about.

I’m relieved when nobody knocks on the door and I get to be sad for as long as I want to be.

These episodes of sadness slowly heal me. With each one, I purge whatever is festering inside me. I get that crying is probably good for me in the long run. I only wish I could pick better timing for my mental purges. But that has more to do with controlling what I say and when than it does with choosing when I’ll be sad. I should work on pausing before I speak.

In the company of true friends, one needs no filter.

Easy for Shark and Alessio, much harder for me. Alessio’s filter works, and Shark says five words all day, two of which are yes and no. He talks with precision and thoughtfulness. All around, he’s a standup guy. One would never guess his profession just by looking at him, and I have to say, Alessio doesn’t look like a typical mob boss. I’m not even sure if that’s what he is.

He checks all the boxes: powerful, wealthy, has his own hitman.

I release my hair from the ponytail and finger-comb it. It’s almost completely dry and smells amazing due to Valerina’s fine hair products, which I can now purchase because I’m rich.

A smile tugs my lips. I’ve never wanted to be rich, but I love knowing I robbed Fis almost more than I love the money itself.

I expel a breath and rise from the cold marble floor to check my eyes and make sure they’re not too red before leaving the bathroom and my sad mood locked behind the door. I don’t want it to spread through this family home like a disease.

When I return, I see that the staff has already cleared the dining room and set a table for the birthday cakes, though only mine has candles.

It’s a two-story white cake with gray frosting and randomly placed cookies that Valerina molded into pale pink bows. She’s leaning over the table, fixing something on the side of the cake, but steps back when she sees me.

“Ta-da.” She extends both hands toward the cake. “What do you think?”

“It’s the prettiest cake I’ve ever seen.” Truly. I’m madly in love with it. I don’t even want to cut into it.

Playfully, she flicks her wrist. “Oh, it can’t be that nice.”

“No, I’m serious.” I stand next to her and admire her creation. “You did all this in a few hours?”

“Yeah, and I’m so happy you like it.”

Leo bursts into the room and begs her to cut his mom’s cake. Valerina explains we’re having two birthdays today and one of them is for me, which means he can help me blow out the candles. That gets him excited again after the disappointment of having to wait longer until he can eat.

“I’ll get the guys,” Valerina says. Just as she turns, she yelps, “Holy Mary! How do you do that?”

I turn to see Shark standing behind us.

Alessio walks into the room just as Shark wraps his arms around me from behind and interlocks his fingers under my belly. He rests his chin on my shoulder. “That’s a pretty cake.”

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