Page 34 of The Game
I think that time has passed, the fact I’m even here is already, “Mila like.” Hell, I’m way past “Mila like” right now and into “crazy I lost my mind,” stage. Asher takes the phone from my hand and types back an address for the guys to find me. Walker’s saying something, but I don’t register it. I feel so stupid. I shouldn’t have come here. They know, Carlos and Johnny know I’m here.
Carlos grins at me, and I can’t breathe. He hit me in the car.It was him.He looked right at me as he did it. I swallow the lump in my throat. I look to Johnny now. They beat Roman so badly the cops thought the same car had hit him. They almost killed me and Roman.
They wanted to kill us. Why? For fun? Pleasure? Sick fucks.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath. In and out. I came here to get rid of them from our lives, need to do this. To face this fear. I can’t let them win.
When I open my eyes, everyone’s watching me, I can hear again. My body isn’t numb and I’m shaking. But now with rage.
“You tried to kill me.” I spit at him.
Carlos waves his hand in a way that infuriates me even more. Like I’m nothing, and Johnny chuckles.
“We did no such thing. Who would want to kill anangel.”
My stomach drops at the word angel coming from his mouth. Is he serious? I look at Alessandro, the way he’s standing there, watching this. I don’t know if he believes them or me.
“You know you did. Your car was black. You hit me on my bike when I was trying to find Roman. You took him, you beat him almost to death and left him to die.”
“We have never met you, or this Roman. You have us confused,bitch.” My mouth drops open. He didn’t just call me a bitch.
“Back up a moment.” Alessandro puts his hand out towards Carlos. “One.”— he holds his finger up— “Don’t be calling my guest a bitch. And two, it’s very odd how Mila named you both, then the way you hesitated when you first saw her tells me you knew who she was the moment you came into the room.”
Johnny shakes his head, but Alessandro continues. “And three, the damage on the car that had to be fixed. You said you hit a sign? Not a girl on a bike.”
I almost stumble, he believes me. At least enough to know they’re lying.
“No, it's not like that. We don’t know her. We just go down and place bets sometimes for fun. She probably saw us down there, or something.” He shrugs. “Win some money and wants a cut or something from us, Alessandro. You know how these trashy girls can get when they smell cash?” Johnny nods like that answer will get him out of this mess.
Alessandro’s eyes darken, and even I take a step back from his expression.
“You donotcall me Alessandro. I’m Mr. Amato to you. You have not earned the right to call me by my first name.”
“You are here for one thing only. To watch my back at school and work for the family. But you have been off selling drugs and gambling? Betting money on some kid and trying to destroy his life? Then hitting a girl on her bike? Well, my father will hate to hear about this.” His voice is deep and calculating.
Alessandro turns to me. He nods, and I try to keep cool. Carlos and Johnny say nothing in protest, and I don’t know what I’m supposed to say right now.
“Can I get a copy of the text messages they sent your boyfriend. I would like the added proof for when I go to my father. Carlos is nothing, but Johnny is my father's third cousin, so he might like to see something before he decides what to do with him, at least.” I slowly nod.
I can’t believe this is happening. Asher texts on my phone again. Probably asking for the proof from Roman so he can show Alessandro.
“Anything else you want to add, Mila? Have they done anything else to you?” He asks. I shake my head. This has been more than enough. “Actually, I would like to know how much they earn betting on your Roman and return it to you.” Alessandro adds. My eyes widen.
I shake my head. “We don’t want the money, we just want to be left alone and put all of this behind us.” Alessandro watches me for a long moment before he nods. He texts someone and looks over to the two assholes.
Three men in suits come out of nowhere. They are quiet and scary. Carlos and Johnny starts calling out that I’m lying, that I made it up as they take them away. The last thing I hear them say is they will come for me. It’s like I’m in some mafia movie. It’s surreal, but scary as all hell. They will come for me?
I just stand there, and the room grows quiet. Walker just stares at me like I have the answers here about what to do next. Shit, I guess we should go. That’s the right move, right? I have no idea. I look at Alessandro, I made this worse. So much worse than before. This has helped no one.
“They won’t be coming for you, they will be…dealtwith.”
Dealt with? Don’t think I want to mess around here with Alessandro any longer, so best we leave before I run my mouth or say something that will get me into trouble… like “I’m gonna jump the gate and come find you,” wasn’t asking for trouble.
“So… we are off to go get ice-cream now. Thank you so much for having us in your home, Mr. Amato. And thank you for helping me with my problem.”
I start to back out the room and grab Walker’s hand as I pass him. We are all going, and now.
“Mila… I think we can agree, Alessandro, is what you call me. Especially after the grand entrance I got from you today. Was a nice distraction and a little entertaining.”
