I know if it were me, I would be shouting bullshits and fuck yous all over the room. However, I know that Bullet has to tread lightly. This is Lorenzo’s son, not just one of his soldiers. I bitethe inside of my cheek until the metallic taste of blood fills my mouth before I release the flesh.
“You will have to trust that I have taken care of this,” Lorenza says.
I trust absolutely nothing about this man, and I especially do not trust his son. Not a single word is said for what feels like an hour, but is probably only thirty seconds. I wait for Bullet to say something completely fucking crazy so we can end this shit, but he shocks the fuck out of me when he dips his chin in a single nod.
The words that come out of his mouth next… I must be fucking mistaken.
“We’ll let you deal with your own. But, Lorenzo?” Bullet calls out. Lorenzo jerks his chin slightly, not speaking but keeping his focus on Bullet. “One toe out of line, and we deal with him while you watch.”
Goffredo’s head pops up, his eyes widen, and he opens his mouth at the same time Lorenzo speaks. “Absolutely. I will not say or do a single thing if he steps out of line. It will be your right but also your duty to deal with him.”
“And we’re good, the Reapers and the Front?” Bullet asks. This is for clarification purposes and to hear the words come out of his mouth.
“We’re good.”
CHAPTER TEN
CIDNEY
When Gooseand Bullet walk out of the restaurant, I expect them to stop and talk to me, or at least Piggy, but they don’t. Bullet walks straight to the waiting SUV, and Piggy follows behind him.
Goose places his hand on the small of my back and gently but firmly guides me toward my car. He’s got my keys in his pocket because he demanded to drive here, and at the time, I was glad for it because I was so nervous. I still am glad for it. I don’t really feel like driving. What I feel like is getting answers to what the fuck just happened.
Sinking down into the passenger seat, I clip my seat belt into place as he walks around the front of the car, and once he folds into the front seat, I keep my lips pressed together until the door closes.
“Are you going to tell me what happened?” I demand.
He turns his head, his eyes shifting to find mine, and his lips twitch. I don’t know what he’s smiling about. But I don’t askhim. Thankfully, I don’t have to. When he speaks, I expect him to tell me that he was able to get that little asshole taken care of.
I’ve never felt so bloodthirsty in my entire life. I’ve never wished anyone dead. Nobody except him. It’s not just because he played me for a fool, because he did do that. It’s mostly because of Lightning. He put his life in front of mine, and Jeffrey tried to take it away, over something that I still don’t understand.
“It wasn’t the outcome I wanted. Probably not what you wanted either, but for now, it’s the right one.”
“What does that mean?” I ask in a whisper.
I’m so confused, and it seems as if he’s speaking in riddles. I don’t think he wants to tell me the truth, and it makes me wonder all the same if he’s going to hold something back. When he turns to me, lifting his hand, I suck in a breath as he cups my cheek.
His thumb slides across my bottom lip as his eyes search mine, and I find myself wondering how this man, this wild man, could look at me the way he is. I’m not special in any way. I’m not smart or talented. I’m definitely not as gorgeous as the other women. Not naturally like Posey, Dakota, and Zadie. Not as flashy and in your face as the clubwhores.
How could he want someone like me? He’s tall and handsome, strong, and his eyes are beautiful. His smile mischievous. It’s like he’s always got a little inside joke working inside his head, like he’s always playing a little game.
I love him.
I’ve fallen in love with him.
Even though I know he will never feel the same way. He’ll never fall for me, not like that. I’m someone to take the boredom away while being locked up together, to make the time pass. I’m not someone you build a life with.
“He’s been demoted, and he will be kept on a short leash. One toe out of line, and he’s out,” Goose breaks my self-loathinginner thoughts, which I’m glad about. I try not to think too badly about myself, but it comes far too easily at times. When I get lost inside my own head, that’s when the thoughts intrude.
“Out?” I ask.
“You know what that means, Cidney. Don’t pretend you don’t.”
Pressing my lips together, I roll them a few times and let out a heavy sigh. “I do. I shouldn’t like it. I shouldn’t want it. I know it makes me a terrible person. But I know what you mean, and I can only hope he steps a whole foot out of line.”
I know it makes me an asshole, but I hope like hell that he steps a whole leg out of line. Half his body even. I want him to die. I’m not sure why I feel like I need this so badly, but I do. I’ve never been so vindictive in my life, but I think it’s mostly self-preservation. I’m scared of him.
Terrified even.
