He scoffed, didn’t respond. The silence dragged on until he asked, “And what about our deal?”
“That’s a discussion for later.”
“Right.”
“A lot has changed, Vitale,” I pressed. “I have Elio now, and I can’t—”
“I don’t even wanna hear it. I hope you know what you’re doing, Faizan.”
The line disconnected, and I stood there with the phone pressed to my ear for a minute before tucking it back into my pocket, blowing out a breath, and hoping… hoping with all I had that I wasn’t making a mistake.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Zahra
Me:
Hey baby.
So, since you’re in London for the week, and our last operation in Brazil was a bust, Street and I would like to use your house to study the map more. We need good security and space, and your home is perfect for it because of its safety and freedom within the compound. I promise we won’t touch the wine or whiskey.
Please…
“There, I sent it. I didn’t abbreviate it for effect. Give it a few seconds, and we’ll get our yes, some expensive wine, and a clear mind to get to work,” I said to everyone gathered around the table.
Devil offered me a pointed stare. “I see no reason why we should go to the compound. There’s enough security here and enough space.”
“It’s the wine,” I answered.
“And the kitchen,” Dog added.
“The game room, too; I got lost in there at the birthday party,” Upper said. “Have you ever tried drinking good alcoholwhile having a wild 4D experience with cars you know you could never drive?”
“There are also many picture spots for the gram.” Milk shrugged.
Devil sighed. “It all depends on his response. Besides, if Dog plans to cook, he will trash the kitchen; Elio doesn’t like a mess.”
I narrowed my eyes, keeping silent.
Dog’s face scrunched up. “The fuck are you trying to imply? That I’m a messy cook?”
“Exactly,” Devil said.
“Zahra and I will help him clean,” Milk said. “Besides, isn’t Elio going to be back in a week or something?”
“A week and a few days,” I answered, not exactly knowing or caring to know what kind of work he had traveled to do. He’d told me, but I had zoned out when he started talking about politics—and I might have said the word “awesome” too many times—which he had innocently taken as my keen interest in the topic. However, I couldn’t understand the meaning of half the words he had used while talking.
“See.” Milk grinned. “That’s enough time to clean up whatever mess we make.”
“And I’d be a fool to believe you guys would leave that house today if he actually says yes,” Devil said.
I shrugged. “I mean… it’s not like he’d be back today or something… it’s a long week. A big house, with amazing drinks, and a good game room, with a fully stocked kitchen, very spacious, absolutely luxurious. A mini cinema room. Why the hell wouldn’t you want that?”
Upper tilted his head at Devil. “Weren’t you given some privileges in the compound? We literally don’t need permission when we have you.”
“Ah, why don’t we use the brother.” The sarcasm from Devil’s statement didn’t seem to reach Upper.
“No, no, I mean, don’t you plan on using some of those privileges?” Upper asked.
