I’m hopeless, truly, when I respond without another thought, “I just want to be with you.”
Chapter 26
Bronte
Chicago almost mirrors New York City’s traffic congestion with its bustling streets and lack of common courtesy. My driver pulls alongside the curb in front of an Italian restaurant, patiently waiting for me to get out and handle my business.
And my business today is Franco Giordano.
On Christmas, I intercepted text messages that my brother was making to him about payment and how Meirna’s non-profit just received a million dollars.
Myfucking million dollars.
How he knows—no clue—however, I’d place a bet on Meirna’s big-mouthed assistant, Amanda, doing all the talking.
My goal is simple—Meirna is off-limits, off the books, off everyone’s radar, off everything.
Bobby officially has no link to her whatsoever, no ties or means to pay Giordano back with her money, and I won’t be leaving here until he tells me face-to-face that he’s going to fuck off.
Or I’m going to fuck him all the way to the bank.
Leaving the confines of my car and stepping inside the oldrestaurant, it’s classic Italian with red and white checkered tablecloths, old photos hanging on the wall of generations past, and Italian music playing softly in the background. It’s early, barely lunch time, but an old couple sits in the corner and the rest of the place is empty.
Two suited men the size of Andre the Giant approach me as I make my way to the back.
One eyes me like I’m stupid as hell for walking to the back of the restaurant like I own the place. While the other’s face lights up.
“Bobby, boy,” he greets with a shitty smile as he approaches. “We weren’t expectin’ ya so soon. Ya come with our boss’s money or what?”
“Tell him Bronte Vasiliou is here to see him.”
He frowns. “Who?”
I stare at him because I’m not saying it again. It’s not my fault if Giordano’s thugs are stupid as hell. He’ll see me. Based off the fact that I look like Bobby, stating a different name, and curiosity always wins in the end.
The other man turns and walks to the back, opening a black door and stepping inside before disappearing.
Meanwhile, I’m stuck with an over-sized meathead with enough brains power to only handle questions, not answers.
“What ya aimin’ at, Bobby? You undercover or somethin’?” My brows furrow because what he mentions makes zero fucking sense. “What’s with the new name, huh?”
“I’m a secret spy who’s here to impose open threats and world domination,” I deadpan because seriously, the fuck?
“Wise guy today, huh?” He closes the distance between us and glares at me. “You’re in a world full of shit if ya don’t come up with that money, boy. Bossman already has a plan for ya, if you don’t.”
Cool story.
I’m saved when the second man reappears by the door and motions me with one hand to come over.
I do, leaving dumbass to stew in his own confusion while I handle my business so I can head back to Meirna.
It’s been over twenty-four hours now that I’ve seen her, and I’m starting to lose my shit over it.
I dropped her off at her condo late two days ago, pressed a long kiss to her soft lips, and said I’d reach out to her in the next day or two.
This is number two.
And I’m not about to ghost her and pull a Bobby, where her life goes back to living practically solo.
