Page 46 of Wrapped in Silver

“Try me,” I say.

He shakes his head. “They’re long gone, kid.”

My neck tenses. “As in… they’re…”

“Yeah, and it was all because of the life I left behind. The underworld is punishing, alright? Let’s leave it at that.”

I swallow past a lump in my throat. Never went from orgasm to near tears within the same minute.

Dnk! Dnk! Dnk!

We both startle when we hear banging on the gate.

“Hello! This is the police! Please come out or open the gate!”

I recognize the voice as Rodney’s, and I want to die where I stand.

Silver looks at me with a knowing glare. “Now do you see why I tested your trust?”

Blood rushes to my face as he hands me my coat. “Silver, I—”

“Shh.” He puts his finger over his perfect lips, then nods for the door.

Our juices are still swirling around in my mouth, and my eyes are watery from what he just revealed.

“Now go be a good girl and pretend you needed a tool from your neighbor’s shed.”

xxx

I’m on cloud nine as I trudge up the steps to my front door with a screwdriver in my hand and the rookie cop Rodney eyeing me curiously while walking me up. Fumbling through the keys, I’m in my own head, reliving the elation of seeing my fatheralive. What’s better? Silver’s scent is stuck in my pores. I refuse to wash my face—

Whoosh!

The door swings open, and the angrier of the rookies—Reggie—opens the door to present Uncle F pacing in the kitchen.

“The hell?”

“You don’t report in. You ignore my messages. I had no choice, Quinn. Your uncle was asking…”

Fuckingrat.

NowI’mangry.

I push the door open farther and shoulder the rookie out of my way. “What am I, a fucking child?”

“Hey!”Uncle F slams the island. He’s sweating… and seems nervous. “We’re trying to get your father back, and I’m here worriedsicksomething might’ve happened to you.”

Now, all of a sudden?

How is it a lone mobster did your job better than an entire department?

“You’re overreacting.” I stand my ground.

“No.You have no idea what this department has been through trying to uncover your father’s whereabouts. The last thing I need isyougalivantingwherever it is you’re going. Reggie tried your job, your cell.Nothing.”

Uncle F has only acted like this two other times in my entire life.

Once, I remember he was at odds with Big Bill, throwing a tantrum about how the house he was trying to sell would go for a higher amount. And the other… hm… something about the gifts he received at his wedding. Money.

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