Page 42 of Corrupted Memories
He’s silent for a moment and a flicker of apprehension settles in my chest. It’s been a long time since I deferred to my father for anything, but something about his silence leaves me wary.
Nico clears his throat, tapping his watch.
I sigh. “I have to go, but I’ll take your… advice to heart.”
He hums. “Sure. See you soon, Son.”
My father is gone before I can grimace and I groan, setting the phone down to rub my face. “Fuck.”
“What?” Nico asks.
“I’m pretty sure he’s coming here now. Whatever he’s heard about Arthur has him that concerned.”
With a scrunched nose, Nico turns back to his laptop and shakes his head. “I’ve had eyes on Arthur. Nothing has changed much.”
“That we know of,” I say with a shrug. Then we both pause and stare at each other.
“He’s been awfully quiet,” Nico says hesitantly. “Almost too quiet.”
Picking up my phone, I bury the unease and dial the number I didn’t expect to use so soon.
“Genovese.”
“Oh good. You didn’t give me a fake number. I was worried,” I quip, because what pretentious prick answers his phone by his last name.
Luca sighs.“Nico must find you exhausting.”
I hold my hand over the end. “Do you find me exhausting?”
Nico nods. “Incredibly.”
“He says not at all,” I say to Luca, who actually laughs a little. I scowl at both of them and then clearmy throat. “I’m thinking I may visit the city sooner than expected. The invitation still open?”
He’s silent for a moment. “Yes. What’s bringing you to the city?”
“I can’t just come see an old friend?”
“Sure, if you had any.”
I scoff. “Well that wasn’t very nice, mate.”
Luca rumbles something under his breath. “I’m in the middle of something. The invitation is always open, as long as you understand the rules.”
“Good, see you then.” I hang up before he can respond, knowing it will piss him off.
Nico shakes his head. “You know they only let you get away with the disrespect because you’re not aligned with the Outfit.”
I shrug. “Maybe it’s my sunny disposition.”
“I doubt that. When are we heading to New York?” he asks.
Not wanting to leave Gianna too long, I grimace when I remember I left her in my room an hour ago. “I’ll get back to you on that.”
Chapter 16
Gianna
I toss the blanket,trying to knock my phone closer to me. It whips out the wrong way, bumping my phone slowly off the side instead of sending it straight onto the mattress. Tears almost well up in frustration. I’m not sure when Sebastian left; it could have only been twenty minutes ago, but it feels like ten days.
