Page 83 of Wicked Lies

“That would be unfortunate,” Frank deadpanned.

“I’ll do it. I’ll give it all up if you leave her and me alone.” Nick shot her a look. Her eyes were wide and pleading and filled with disbelief.

“Impressive, but are you willing to take chances with her life too?” Frank jerked his thumb at Cheryl. “You saw how easy it was for me to work my magic in Miami, and although Carlos screwed up, I think I made my point.”

Nick never doubted Frank’s far-reaching power. He’d seen what he was capable of doing, and the consequences that followed.

Frank cocked his head. “I guess the big question is, are you willing to put her life on the line.” He nodded to Cheryl. “Or look over your shoulder for the rest of your lives?”

“This is bullshit.”

Nick couldn’t believe it. He’d come so far, had it all figured out in his head, yet Frank managed to fuck with him again. A consuming exhaustion crept through his bones.

“Did you forget I hold the largest voting share at the Oasis? Everything you own—the penthouse, the cars it all comes from the money I give you from the Oasis. And I know about the other safe under your office floorboards, but there’s not enough there to keep up the lifestyles you’ve both acquired.”

The bastard was right. Back in the day, they’d signed some papers, but neither he nor Samson checked it out with a lawyer. They’d been too busy raking in the money and living a life neither one could’ve imagined, never realizing how easy it could all crash in around them.

Frank expelled a deep sigh. “You’re making this much harder than it needs to be. Just sign the contract, and you’ll have everything you want—except her.”

Silence filled the room as Nick’s fragile existence crumbled before his eyes.

“This is crazy.” Cheryl threw up her hands. “You can’t just send me away.”

“Do I need to remind you of the evidence I have in the form of a bloody knife covered in your fingerprints?”

“I’ll go to the police, I’ll tell them exactly what happened. How I saw you slit Jimmy’s throat.”

“You could, but who do you think they’ll believe? A lowlife grifter with a long list of priors who has a fight with her druggie boyfriend in the back alley of a known criminal hangout—or a concerned citizen who contributes thousands monthly to this police precinct?

“I’ll have the truth on my side.”

“And I’ll have the bloody knife covered with your fingerprints, plus Sal and other witnesses who say you both were fighting at the Pit.”

Frank turned to Nick. “And I could always have the cops open up that cold case from two years ago. You remember the one where your father was shot outside a bar in Bensonhurst? They never did find the weapon or any witnesses, and I have a feeling they’d be very interested in finally closing that case.”

Nick’s fist tightened at his side. Once again, Frank contorted the truth and manipulated all the angles in his favor.

“Fine.” Cheryl grabbed the plane ticket. “I’ll do what you ask.”

“No fuckin’ way you’re leaving.” Nick struggled against the goon holding him.

“I refuse to be the reason you lose your dream.” Cheryl's eyes glistening with tears. “We tried to make it all work, but sometimes you have to know when to—”

“To what, give up?” Nick shouted. “Don’t let him win.”

“He already has.” She sucked in her lower lip and something inside him broke.

“No, no, don’t do this. Don’t . . .”

“We were stupid to think we could work.” She threw Nick a sad smile, and left.

“Cheryl, no, don’t . . .” Nick wrenched and fought against the arms holding him prisoner.

The office door slammed, and her footsteps faded away.

He remembered when he’d come to Frank’s office— scared, and begging for help, wanting revenge for his mother’s death. That day changed his life. It left a gaping hole where he stored his emotions, but somehow Cheryl made him feel again. He probably didn’t have the ability to love her the way she deserved, but watching the best thing in his life walk away gutted him. A numbness came over Nick, and all the anger and rage drained out of him, leaving just blood and flesh stretched over a lifeless core.

“You happy now,” Nick raged. “You fuckin’ sadistic bastard.”

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