Jesus Christ.
I know the tone of the text. Something is wrong. He’s pissed off, or changed his mind, or there’s some kind of snag or something. Whatever it is, it’s a signature Enzo Wolfe move that means it can’t wait. Considering what’s at stake here, well, howmuchis at stake here, I’d like to know what the hell is going on ASAP.
I make my way outside to where it’s quiet and dial his number. He answers on the first ring.
“What’s up, Dad?” I ask before he can say anything.
“The gig is up, that’s what,” he says, and I am lost.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask.
“Did you really think you could pull one over on me?” he demanded. While I don’t think there is any way he could have figured anything out, he’s not a stupid man. Stubborn maybe. Narcissistic for sure. But not stupid. For that reason, I know I have to tread carefully at this point.
“I’m still not sure what you are referring to,” I tell him with no waver in my voice.
“Where do you want me to start?” he asks in the tone that I am most familiar with. I’ve been hearing it my entire life.
“At the beginning. So I don’t miss any of the details of whatever it is you think I did wrong,” I say.
“Alright. Lie to me. It wouldn’t be the first time. Let’s start with how your relationship is a sham.”
“A what?” I ask incredulously. Am I lying to him? Not anymore. Yes, it started out as a ruse, but it’s not anymore.
“Don’t play dumb with me, Dominic! Your little friends at the fight ring told me everything!” he thunders, and for the first time, my pulse wavers a little.
“What friends?” I ask.
“The cute blonde who works the bar,” he says.
“Brynn?” I ask.
“Sure. And Shaeffer.”
Brynn and Shaeffer. I should have known whatever was going on had Rafe’s fingerprints all over it. Goddamnit.
“According to them, this whole thing was planned. You and Mila have a paid agreement to go through with marriage so that she has the money she needs and you get your inheritance from me. Well, I’ll have you know that a marriage you plan to turn around an annul once I add a handful of zeros to your bank account balance isn’t what WE agreed on, that therefore is NOT going to happen.”
“Listen, you don’t know anything about Mila and me,” I bite back.
“I know that she used to be a waitress who came from nothing. Not only that, but she was your maid,” he says.
“And?”
“And?! A waitress, Dominic?! You could have any woman on the goddamn planet and you pick the maid?” he shouts. I nearly punch the brick wall, but think better of it at the last second.
“She’s more than that!” I growl back.
“Oh, I’m sure she is. You’ve gotten yourself into quite a predicament. Sneaking around, sleeping with the maid. Putting a ring on her finger. That was your mother’s ring,” he snaps.
“I know it was her ring,” I snap.
“You know, I never would have given it to you if I’d known what was really going on. You are going to get that ring back,” he demands.
“No. I’m not,” I tell him.
“The fuck you meanno you’re not?”
“I mean, I still intend to marry her, and that ring is exactly where it belongs. And when I do say my vows, my lawyer is going to get my inheritance from you even if he has to pry it from your hands,” I say through my teeth.
