Page 25 of The Holy Ghost
“And Ciro?”
“He owns andmanages afew of clubs andbars throughout the city when he’s not otherwiseoccupied.”
She finallygot to the point, and thank God, because I had shit to do. “What isall this, Phoenix?”
“It’s simple.” I knew shewas going to fight me-uson all of this, but itdidn’t matter. She’d see that soon enough. “You’re going to go backto school, get your business degree, and work for Luca in the samecapacity as I do.”
Her amber orbswidened inshock. “I am notgoing to go around killing people!” she cried, completelyastonished at the notion.
“Of course,you’re not,” I snapped.Jesus Christ, thisgirl. “I mean the accountingpart, Frankie.”
She visiblycalmed down and I realized how bizarre thisconversation was. “And?” she asked because she wasn’tstupid.
“I’ll maintainthe accounting of the businesses off the books while you’ll oversee the legitimate businesses,including Ciro’s business ventures.”
“And?”she asked, her eyesnarrowing.
“Andyou’ll take your place whenthe time comes,” I answered.
“What’s thatmean?”
“It meansyou’re a part of all this just as much as I am. Just as much as Ciro and Luca are.” She wasabout to argue, but I stopped her. “It’s been decided, Frankie. Youdon’t get a say.”
Frankie threw her armsout to the side. “So, you guys just decided what my life is goingto be from now on and I’m expected to just accept it?” She let outa dark laugh. “You guys are out of your mind if you think I’m goingto come to heel like a good little puppy.”
“Grow up,” I bit out. “Welet you have your fit for six years, Frankie. It’s time to grow thefuck up and take your rightful place.”
“And where’s that,Phoenix? As the Mafia’s newest accountant? Their newest moneygirl?”
“As my wife!”I yelled, fed the fuck up withher self-righteousness. I stalked towards her, ignoring her shock.“As my fuckingwife.”
She startedshaking her head. “You…what…are you insane?” she cried in astrangled voice. “We can’t just…what do you mean, yourwife?”
“Don’tfucking play with me, Frankie,” Igrowled. “If you hadn’t run off like a child throwing a tantrum,we’d be married by now with at least two kids. So, yeah, my fuckingwife.”
“I wasn’t throwing atantrum,” she denied. “You guys betrayed me!”
“No, wedidn’t!” I argued. “We justdidn’t include you in the dark parts of what we weredoing!”
“Oh, but nowit’s okay to include me?” shethrew back. “What’s the fucking difference?”
I grabbed herby her arm and ignored her wince. I knew she was battered all tohell,but if I was reallyhurting her, she’d let me know. Frankie wasn’t a scared rabbitaround anyone. “You better watch how you talk to me, woman,” Iwarned her. “If you want to rant and rave, by all means, go ahead.But don’t think you can cuss me out and not suffer therepercussions, Francesca.”
Outrage wasbeautiful on this woman. “So, let me get thisstraight,” she seethed. “Notonly do I have to dump my life in Cedar Creek, I have to go back toschool and get my degree, so I can work for the Mob, marry you, andwatch my tongue, lest I offend your tender masculinity?”
I was going to killher.
Straight up wrap myhands around her neck and strangle the life out of her.
“Yes!” I roared.
“And when isall this supposed to take place?” she asked, sarcasm and rebellion in each goddamnsyllable.
“Your shit isalready being shipped here from your apartment,” I reminded her.“We’ll be married by the end of the week, and you can start collegethis upcoming semester.”
Frankie yankedher arm free from mygrasp andtook a step back. She looked up at me with wild eyes. “What in thehell do you mean, we’ll be married by the end of theweek?!”
“We’re getting married assoon as the marriage license is available,” I informed her. “BeforeMassimo dies. We’ll be getting married by a priest in his hospitalroom, Frankie.” She wrapped her arms around her stomach and doubledover, taking the emotional blow.
