Page 50 of Sexting the Don

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I immediately shake my head, my protective instinct kicking in over her casual attitude about walking alone. "Not a chance you’re going on your own," I state firmly. "With everything that's been going on, I don't like the idea of you walking alone. It’s not safe."

She looks like she’s about to argue, a flash of independence flashing in her eyes, but she seems to recognize the seriousness in my tone and lets it go.

"Okay, what do you suggest then?" she asks, a playful challenge in her voice.

I grab my keys from the hook. "I'll drive you. It'll give me peace of mind knowing you got there safely," I tell her matter-of-factly, already heading toward the door. “I can pick you up, or you can take an Uber back.”

As we slide into the car, Mandy’s phone buzzes with a new message. She checks it, her laughter filling the space. "It’s Mom," she says with a grin. "She’s making waves with the Land Rover at the restaurant and wants to cook dinner tonight as a thank you."

I can’t help but smile at the thought, amused by Florence’s enthusiasm. "I’d love that," I reply. "Tell her it’s a date."

But as I start the engine and pull out, Mandy’s mood shifts to something more serious.

"I need to call La Serna and figure out how to juggle all this," she says, the stress evident in her tone.

I shoot her a glance, firm in my conviction. "Look, you don’t need to stress about money right now. Your safety is the only thing that should be on your mind," I tell her, hoping to ease her burden a bit.

She seems to relax slightly at my words but then fires back, "I’ve always earned my own keep. That matters to me."

I respect her grit, and it strikes a chord. "I get that. I built everything I have from the ground up," I acknowledge. "But right now, we need to put all that on the back burner until you’re out of the woods."

Her expression tightens with worry. "Do you really think I’m in that much danger?" she asks, uncertainty clouding her voice.

Looking straight ahead, I harden my tone a little, making sure she understands the severity of the situation. "I’m not about to gamble with your safety," I state decisively. "Not with a wildcard like Jimmy still in play. Definitely not since he’s gotten violent and desperate."

Mandy leans back, taking in my words and the reality of her precarious situation settling in. I reach over and give her hand a reassuring squeeze, trying to blend support with the hard truth. "Let’s focus on the here and now," I suggest. "We'll have a nice dinner tonight and sort out the rest later. For now, just know I've got you covered."

She offers a small, appreciative smile and squeezes my hand in return. "Thanks," she murmurs. "Having you in my corner means everything."

I pull up to the sleek Beverly Hills gym, its modern facade looking more like a high-end spa than a workout facility. As Mandy prepares to step out, I catch her arm gently. "Don’t take public transportation back, all right? Call me or grab an Uber.”

She nods, flashing me a quick smile. "Will do."

Just as I’m about to drive off, lost in thoughts of the night ahead, my phone buzzes with a new message. It’s from Sean, snapping me back to reality. I scan the text—he wants to meet at a nearby coffee shop. Looks like business can’t wait.

I find a parking spot and head into the little cafe, spotting Sean seated in a secluded corner. His expression is tense, more so than usual. I slide into the seat across from him, sensing this isn’t just a casual catch-up.

Sean doesn’t waste time with pleasantries. "One of Garadino’s guys got in touch this morning," he starts, his voice low and serious. "The big man wants a meeting with you—tonight."

I lean back, processing the information. A meeting with Garadino could mean many things, but none of them are simple or safe. "Did he mention what it’s about?" I ask.

Sean shakes his head. "No details. Just that he wants to see you. Alone." His last word hangs between us, heavy with implication.

I rub my chin thoughtfully, considering my options. Meeting with Garadino isn't something I particularly want to do, but avoiding it could give him the wrong impression, potentially escalating the already palpable friction between us.

"All right," I finally say, my decision made. "Set it up. But keep it on our terms. Neutral ground."

Sean’s relief is visible. He knows I can handle myself, but the stakes are always high with Garadino—he’s unpredictable. "I’ll arrange it and send you the details," he assures me, already pulling out his phone to make the necessary calls.

Sean's fingers work quickly over his phone as he sets up the details for the meeting. Once he's done he looks up, a hesitation in his eyes, a tell that he's holding back on something. I've known Sean long enough to read these subtleties.

"Spill it. What's on your mind?" I prompt. I need him to be straightforward; time isn't a luxury we have on our side.

He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, a sign I know to be of genuine concern. "I might be getting paranoid here but ..." He trails off, searching for the right words, or maybe the courage, to voice his worries.

"Out with it," I press, not in the mood for hesitancies.

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