Page 45 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

“Okay, you need my help with what? I’m no good at those lifts and things. I hope that’s not what you need.”

His cheeks flush as he says the words. I asked him to help me once as I tried to work out a new routine when I was asked to do a piece with a partner. That didn’t go well at all.

“I will not ask you to put your hands next to my vagina today. You don’t have to worry about that,” I say.

Adriano chokes on his sip of coffee. I pat him on the back and reach for a towel to hand him. He looks at me with wide eyes.

“Some days.” He shakes his head. “What do you need, Sim?”

“I need you to help me find clients.”

“Clients?”

“Yes, individuals who want my services.”

He looks at me skeptically. He turns to me and leans his hip against the island. I take a step back as I note that I have entered too far into his personal space.

“What service are we talking about?”

“Morte.”

He narrows his eyes at me. I stand with my chin held high. I try to force eye contact, but it doesn’t last long.

“Explain to me what exactly is going on in your head,” he says after a few beats.

“Michael doesn’t want me home because I’m not like him. I have to prove I can be like him. I have trained.

“I have the skills. I’ve just never applied them. I will start my own assassin company.

“I will perform hits for hire. You will help me to find clients. You will also keep this secret until I am ready to expose myself,” I explain.

He scoffs. “That’s not going to happen. Michael and Uri both would kill me.”

He folds his arms across his chest as he glares at me. I release an exasperated breath. I thought this would be easier.

“If they don’t find out, then they won’t kill you. Did I not say you are to keep this a secret? If you die, it will be because you are a poor liar or you spoke when you shouldn’t have.”

“You are crazy,” he says, allowing his accent to slip.

“No. That is not a part of my disorder. I am quite sane, actually. I’m on the spectrum, not crazy. Now stop calling me names and assist me. I will pay you handsomely for your help.”

“Fanculo, she wants to pay me for my own death,” he says under his breath. “She’s right. I’m the crazy one here.”

“Yay, you’re going to help?”

“I’m going to keep you out of trouble.”

I throw my arms around his neck and hug him tightly. He returns the hug hesitantly at first. When he does embrace me, he buries his face in my hair.

“He doesn’t deserve you,” he murmurs.

“What?”

I pull out of his hold and take a step back. The moment has just turned awkward. I didn’t mean to cross the line.

“Why do this? You dance and play like an angel. You’re perfect the way you are.”

“I am the heiress of the Trovati throne. I am meant to be the wife of the next don of the family. He will run the family on my behalf. How can I not match him?

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