Page 18 of Toxic

I press the button, replying, "Why do I give a fuck about the color?" I turn right and step on the accelerator.

She huffs. "Red means love. Since it's Valentine's Day—"

I press the button cutting her off then press it again so she can hear me. "Do not send red! What other choices do I have?"

"Pink roses symbolize gratitude, grace, and joy."

"Next," I demand.

"White is pretty."

"What's the meaning?" I ask, not believing I'm getting a lesson on the freaking color of flowers.

"Purity, innocence, and in some cases, chastity."

I snort. "Yeah, definitely not Giorgia. What else?"

"Purple roses are harder to find, but they indicate a fascination or adoration. What about that?" Pina inquires.

My gut flips. "Definitely not." I cross the state line into New Jersey. I veer away from the rich residential part and drive toward the side where the run-down factories and increased crime reign.

Pina's voice turns to irritation. "We're running out of colors. You have been seeing her for over a year."

"What's left?" I ask in irritation, not wanting a reminder of the time, since it only makes Giorgia's clock tick faster.

"Orange roses indicate enthusiasm and passion. That could work for today," Pina suggests.

I have passion when she's fucking me.

I sigh, not liking the clawing in my gut.This should be simple, for crying out loud.I question, "Are there any other choices?"

"Yeah, but I don't think you want it for Valentine's Day."

"Why?"

"Well, yellow means friendship and caring."

"Send yellow."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. Stop asking questions," I demand.

"Glad you aren't my boyfriend," she adds.

"Did I ask for your opinion on this matter?"

"No, but you love it when I add it," she gushes then adds, "What do you want the card to say?"

My chest tightens further, and I scrub my face, then I turn down a street with factories looming on both sides. "Happy Valentine's Day. Dante."

The inside of the car is quiet for several moments, but my Nextel finally beeps. "Nothing else?"

"No. That's it.

"All right. Consider it done."

I toss my phone in the cupholder and pull into the factory. The legitimate side is Rubio's father's detergent company. The non-legit side is the place we import jewels from all over the world. It's not a new venture for my father, but this is the first time I found another illegal supplier of gemstones. And these aren't imported. They're straight from Dry Cottonwood Creek in Montana, so it substantially cuts our cost in half, skyrocketing our profits.

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