“Of course it is, Bambina. I wouldn’t ever lie to you.”
I nod. “Well, I’m glad you’re not who I was beginning to think you were. You seemed like a good man, and this whole fairy tale has been amazing. But it’s really just fantasy. I have a real life and people who depend on me. I work for the DA; you and I…we just don’t fit, and besides, I have things I have to deal with right now, and whatever this was between us…” I shake my head. “I don’t know, it’s just not the right time, I guess. Different worlds we live in.”
The reality of that statement hits me hard. My mom and dad need me, and I have no idea how to help, but I do know I will do everything I can to try, including quitting my internship and moving back home… I’ll have to take any job I can. It might be too little too late, but I have to try. After everything else, they can’t lose their home. I won't let it happen.
“I know that someone you care about is having money problems. That guy you met at the restaurant? His name’s Malcolm, and he’s a friend. He told me about your phone call.”
“My mom,” I say, nodding. “The medical bills have just been piling up. Now they are losing the house.”
“Your mom’s sick?”
“No. My dad. He broke his back. He used to be her rock, used to always be able to pay his way, but then he had an accident. My mom used up all their savings, took out a second mortgage on the house. Now they owe so much they're on the verge of losing everything. On top of that, Dad’s still getting treatment at a rehab facility, but he’s being kicked out. The foreclosure is nearly done.” I shake my head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this, it’s not your problem.”
“Yes, it is.” Vito taps at his phone. “How much do they need?”
I choke out a laugh. “It’s too much.”
The phone starts ringing on the car’s speakers as Vito turns to me. “This is your family, and that makes them my family. I’ve never had anything to use my money for that I really cared about until now. It’s just piling up in bank accounts and safes.”
There’s a click, and an English-accented voice sounds over the speakers. “Vito, unusual to hear from you outside our scheduled meetings. What can I do for you?”
“Hi, Andy, I’ve got someone with me. I need you to make a draw from the Cayman account.” Vito turns to me. “Andy is my accountant. Tell me how much you need.”
I hesitate. It’s sweet that he wants to help, but when I tell him how much my mom owes, he’s going to tell me he can’t help. But when he takes my hand and nods encouragingly, something makes me blurt out the truth. “Seven hundred thousand,” I mutter, bracing myself for what comes next. “Almost three hundred thousand this week, or she loses the house.”
Vito doesn’t blink. “Did you hear that, Andy?”
“Sure. Seven hundred thousand dollars from the cash account. No problem, consider it done. Who shall I pay it to?”
“Pay it to Esme…” A smile plays on Vito’s lips. “I still don’t know your last name.”
I hear my voice as if from a distance, barely able to believe what’s happening. “Tremaine. It’s Tremaine.” My voice catches in my throat, and I realize I’m crying. “But don’t…I don’t want the money. Pay it to Elizabeth Tremaine, that’s my mom.” I give him the address of my mom’s house over the speakerphone.
“Okay. She’ll have the money by the end of today. Is that all you needed, Vito?”
“Could you also look up the best facility in the country for physiotherapy and make inquiries about transferring a patient as soon as possible? I’ll be paying for the treatment, as well as a rental close by for Esme’s mom. And set up an account in her name with another five hundred thousand to start, then we will go from there.”
“Of course. No problem. I’ll get on it now.”
There’s a click, and the line cuts off, and Vito and I are left alone again.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I mutter. “Is this real?”
“Esme Tremaine, you’re mine now. I’m going to protect you, and I’m going to look after your family. But part of that deal means you need to tell me if there are ever any problems. I can do whatever is in my power to fix them, but I need to know what they are to do that. You understand?”
I nod and wipe at my tears. “Thank you. There is something else.”
“What, baby? Anything you need, just tell me.”
Taking Vito’s hand, I look into his eyes and choke out a laugh through the tears. “The cab driver is still waiting for me to pay him, and I don’t have any cash.”
Chapter Fourteen
Vito
She’s riding my dick like she was created just for my pleasure, and deep down, I believe she was.
In the last two weeks since the shit went down at the restaurant, the number of hours we’ve been apart could be counted on two hands. I moved all her things from her apartment to the house the next day. We’ve fucked, planned, talked, laughed, worked, played and discovered trust—and that in this world, there is magic, and she’s mine.
