Page 44 of The Game
Alessandro seems a little offended at Walkers' remarks of it being real.
“Why would I give someone a fake Rolex, Walker?” Alessandro seems a little upset with that question. Walker takes a step back and shrugs.
I can see people who don’t have a lot of money giving fake ones. It’s an honest question. My stepfather has one. Its real, it's gold. Don’t like it much, but this one is much nicer.
Everyone surrounds us now. Interested in the newcomer and the watch Roman’s now holding. Now my gift seems crap in comparison. Not that I’ve given it to him yet.
Asher comes up beside me and looks. He leans in close, “that’s at least a thirty grand watch. Maybe more.”
My mouth drops open. I can see why Walker questioned it. That's an insane gift to give someone. Roman’s speechless. Hell, I almost forget words. I quickly clear my throat.
“Thank you, Alessandro. Roman's not a man of many words, and I think you’ve just shocked him speechless.” Alessandro just grins and nods. Dang… that’s a scary hot grin.
“It's the least I could do after everything. Now the reason that I'm here.” I lean in a little closer and Alessandro eyes Emerson and Cadence. Then his eyes scan to Grady.
“Ah, let's go talk in private.” I lead Alessandro over to the ball pit. The suit follows him. And Hunter, Roman, Asher, Walker, and Jace follow me. I guess we were all there that day, so it makes sense we all hear what he has to say.
“I spoke to my father; he was… not impressed.” I suck in a breath. “That our family name had been used in such a manner. The problem has been dealt with. But you mentioned the cops sniffing around with our name in their mouth. My father wasn’t happy to hear this and had it looked into.”
I swallow down the lump in my throat. Is he here because he's angry that the cops are looking into the connection between us and his family? That's not our fault.
“My father has…friends. It's just a cop and his daughter looking into the connection between us. You might know her. She attends Ridgecrest high.”
“Britney Montlake,” Roman hisses under his breath.
Alessandro nods. “So, you know the girl. Her story is that she witnessed the murder of Damon Valentine, but named Roman as the killer. Not you Mila.”
Alessandro tilts his head, gives me a once over, and raises his brows. “Honestly, from looking at you, I wouldn't think you could kill a person, even in self-defence. But you have a bit of a death wish about you, trying to break into my family's estate and all. But when you look at Roman...”
He didn’t finish. I knew what he was implying. Roman looks big and strong enough to take down a man like this, father. Not me. What was there to say? Alessandro’s right. But how would Britney know it was Roman? The three of us look to the only other person who knows what really happened that night.
Jace’s eyes widen and he shakes his head. “No, don't look at me like that. We trust each other. I would never break your trust again, Mila. I swear to God I haven't said a thing to the cops or Britney.”
Hunter speaks up, “Sorry man. Just so much is going on and I thought it was you for a split second and I should have known you wouldn’t betray us. But you came to us after Britney and the cops questioned you. We told you then. You had no idea beforehand. You're not that good of an actor.”
Jace lets out a deep breath and chuckles nervously. “That's why I don't do drama.”
It's then I realize Walker and Asher have been listening to everything. Their expressions showing, they know what we're talking about. Asher reaches out to me and I shake my head. I don’t know what he wants to say, but I don’t need it right now. I need to focus on how Britney knew this. Or did she guess?
“Alright, well, I’ll be on my way now. Enjoy shooting each.”
I think all our mouths drop open at that statement from Alessandro. He just chuckles and even that makes my stomach warn me he’s a dangerous guy from a family. One that can kill and bury you and no one would ever find you again.
Roman finally speaks up as Alessandro saunter towards the door of the building.
“We only have nine players, the tenth couldn't make it. If you want to stay around and play for a bit. You're welcome to play.”
My mouth drops open. I can’t believe Roman just invited a mobster to play laser tag with us all. I'm more surprised that he said so many words to someone that’s not me or the guys. Maybe it's the expensive watch, or maybe this is the new Roman. No longer having a shadow over him at every step. This is Roman free, living his life to the fullest.
Alessandro grins.
“Whose team am I on?”
Well, I hope he's on mine. I bet he knows his way around a gun.
Even if it is just a laser one.
NINETEEN
