Page 56 of Salvatore

“Tell me it’s not true.” I skewer Liv with a narrowed look. “Tell me he’s not the guy from the dive bar you were obsessed with.”

Her face falls. It’s enough confirmation to turn my stomach.

“It’s a long story.” Her hands fall to her sides, her eyes imploring. “Can we go somewhere so I can explain?”

“Inthatcar? Withhim?” I scowl. “Are you high?"

“Ivy, please. It’s complicated.”

“You’re right. I don’t think it gets much more complicated than letting someone like him diddle your skittle.” I glare at the man who must have lied a million times to win her over. Who muststillbe lying to have her begging me for understanding. “Do you have any idea who he is?”

“Yes.”

“And do you know what he does? What you’re getting yourself into?” I swallow down the acidic taste of my own mistakes and return my attention to Liv.

She lowers her gaze and releases a heavy sigh.

The weight of it echoes in my own chest, painful and deep. I don’t like this. I can’t stand the thought of her leading a secret life the same way I have. She’s not built for deception.

“Ivy, I know everything.”

I don’t believe her.

Remy has lied. Deceived. There’s no way someone so kind and loving would be with a man capable of the atrocities necessary to be a part of the underworld if they had full transparency.

“You’re right.” I scan the street, attempting to figure out an escape route. “We need to go somewhere.” I have to get her away from here. Away fromhim.

As if sensing my intentions, Remy climbs from the car, his broad shoulders and confidence stance a voiceless threat.

I tense with his approach. I’ll fight him if I have to. It’s not like I start arguments in nightclubs with assholes without having the ability to protect myself. I’ve got skills. Definitely not enough to defend a bullet, but I’ll wham, bam, kick him in the clam if necessary.

“Do you want the car?” he asks Liv as he stops beside her. “I’ll walk back to Salvo’s. You can drive Ivy wherever she wants to go.”

I glare, unsure what he’s playing at.

He slides a palm around her waist and places a delicate kiss to her temple, the display of affection horrifically sweet, before he guides the car fob into her hand.

“Thanks.” She leans into him. “I’ll call you when we’re done.”

It’s like I’m on an acid trip, hallucinating the fuck out of my introverted best friend loving it up with the nephew of one of the most notorious men in the country.

“Drive safe. And make sure you watch for a tail.” He walks away, heading toward Salvatore’s townhouse.

I keep my dumbfounded stare on him every step of the way, waiting for him to quit the charade, pull a weapon, and pepper us with bullets.

“I know whatever you’re thinking must be crazy,” Liv murmurs. “Especially given the week we’ve had, but all I’m asking for is a chance to explain.”

The reminder of Carlo’s death squeezes my chest. How the hell was the funeral only yesterday?

“Please, Ivy. I need you to have an open mind.”

I turn to her, hating the plea in her voice, the pain etched into her furrowed brow. She looks exhausted, her eyes red-rimmed, her skin unusually pale.

“Okay.” I nod despite the apprehension. I have to at least try.

It’s not like I’m not going to ask her to do the same thing when I lay the truth of my past at her feet.

These secrets are going to change our friendship. She’ll judge me, just like I’m judging her dumb ass for doing something so recklessly stupid as falling for a Dolce-wearing, espresso-drinking death dealer.

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