Page 38 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

“Almost ten. Sorry, it took me a while to call you. Some things came up. I couldn’t get out of them.”

“No, that’s okay, you called now that’s all-what counts. How was your day?”

He releases a heavy sigh. “It’s been a day, baby, that’s for sure. I rather not give you details. Tell me about your day.”

“Dad had his chemo treatment, then Oscar came by with supper for us. That’s pretty much it.”

“Who’s Oscar?” he asked sharply.

Is he serious right now. That’s what he wants to talk about. All right, fine. “That’s how we’re doing this? Great. If you must know, Oscar is my PA for work, and since I’ve missed work to take my sick father to the hospital for hiscancertreatment, he brought work to me. He also brought supper for my dad because he knows he can’t eat anything after treatment.

“He also had a lovely time talking to my dad about cop shit, then we looked at numbers. He left around eight and I called you after. I thought about you the entire time wishing you were here. Considering you said you would call me and you never, you have no right getting pissy with me. So, if you don’t mind, I’m finished with this conversation. Goodnight Lucca.”

I hang up before he can say anything else to me. Fuck that bullshit. I don’t have time for jealous men in my life. If he hasn’t figured it out by now that I’m with him and only him, it’s not going to work out between us. I don’t recall him being this way in high school. Clearly, you change a lot when you grow up.

My phone dings with a text.

Lucca:I’m sorry, please forgive me. I keep fucking up.

Yeah, no shit he does.

The following morning, Dad comes trudging down the stairs. When he notices me on the couch he halts.

“Pumpkin, what are you still doing here. Don’t you have work today?”

“I do. I’m heading in later, after I see that you’re good to go.”

He heads down the hallway disappearing into his office. Minutes later, he appears holding a folder.

He hands it to me. I raise an eyebrow at him. “What’s this?”

“It’s the name you wanted me to run for you. That Colin Thompson client of yours.”

Oh yeah, I open it finding absolutely nothing. What the fuck. It only holds a picture of Colin and nothing else. I look up at Dad and he shrugs.

“His name doesn’t exist, and I dove deep, yet nothing popped up. Sorry pumpkin, looks like your client isn’t real. If I, were you, I’d drop him like a sack of potatoes and quick. Did you drop Vincent yet? Maybe they are connected?”

“I haven’t really dealt with Vincent to be honest. He’s been mild compared to this guy. Colin freaks me out, even Oscar gets freaked out. I’ll fire him as a client this week. Don’t worry I have it under control. Thanks again Dad. I owe you one.”

He gives me a kiss on the forehead before he retreats to the kitchen. I stick around until I have to head to work.

Oscar greets me with a huge smile. Too bad I’m going to wipe it off with the bad news from Dad.

“Bad news bears, we need to drop Colin. He’s not even real.”

I relay the information Dad told me. The look on his face says it all. We’re fucking screwed. He doesn’t even know that Colin threatened me. I kept that information to myself, but Colin is a guy we don’t want to mess with. I don’t know how we’re going to fire him as a client.

“Fuck, Chuck, now what? He’s not going to listen. I can tell you that right now. We’re so fucking screwed. All that information he gave us is probably all fake including account numbers. I’m hoping they are fake. What if they aren’t.”

“Oscar, calm down. We got this, okay?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Yeah. Okay. I’m calm.” He raises both hands in surrender.

With that, we get back to work. Praying that this will go the way we want it.

I keep replaying Charlie’s conversation over in my mind the following morning. I understand where she’s coming from except she had another man over at her Dad’s house. A man that wasn’t me. I could’ve said things differently I admit that, but why would I? She needs to know that she’s mine and only mine. I’ve waited long enough I’m not sharing. I’ve tried calling only to be sent to voicemail every time. This is getting out of hand. If she doesn’t answer soon, I’m going to lose my shit. This silent treatment is juvenile, and it’s time for her to get over it.

As I stroll into Sean & Irene Accounting, I’m impressed with the interior. The lobby holds a massive crystal chandelier in the middle of the ceiling, shiny marble tiles line the floor. There is nothing else here, a wasted space if you ask me. Two sets of elevators are to the left. Stepping into the elevator, I press the button for Charlie’s floor and wait. Once the doors open, I’m greeted by a very cheerful receptionist.

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