Page 97 of The Worst Pucking Deal

Remus seems unfazed by my obvious displeasure, his amusement evident as he saunters into the apartment uninvited. With a casual gesture, he dismisses the two hulking bodyguards flanking him, leaving them to wait outside as he strides confidently into our midst.

“I think this is the first time I’ve been summoned,” he grins. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I clench my fists, hating his nonchalant behavior and careless words. “First off,” I growl, moving closer to him. “Show some fucking respect in our home.”

“Sy,” Lucia pleads, but I ignore her.

“Secondly, how fucking dare you treat Lucia like that? She’s your family and you’re not even protecting her. If you’re so powerful, why the hell aren’t you reining in Fabian?”

“Watch it,” Remus warns me, cocking his eyebrow. “We all have rules to follow and parts to play. Just because she’s told you what’s going on doesn’t mean you understand it.”

I throw my head back and laugh loudly. “I don’t need to understand it, you bastard. All I need to know is that you’re no better than her abusive ex husband.”

Remus takes a step toward me, but before he can act or speak, I slam my fist into his jaw. His head snaps to the side at the same time as Lucia lets out a scream. But instead of going to her cousin, she steps in front of me, holding up her hands.

“Don’t even think of retaliating, Remus,” she hisses. When I try to move around her, she shifts with me, keeping herself in front of me. “You had that coming and you’re in his house—”

“Our house,” I correct like that’s the important part.

To my surprise, Remus guffaws while rubbing his jaw. “You’ve got a mean right hook,” he laughs. “Glad to know you’re looking after Luce.”

Well, I can’t say I was expecting this to be his reaction. I expected him to fight back, maybe even to… I don’t know. Threaten my life or some bullshit like that.

“Now that we got that out of the way, can we talk like civilized people?” he asks, gesturing toward the sitting area like it’s his home and not ours.

“If we must,” I grumble.

At the same time, Lucia says, “Of course. Please sit down, Remus.”

I sit down in the chair, pulling my sweet bunny with me so she’s perched on my lap. When she tries to argue she can sit by herself, I just shrug. “But I like you right here,” I say playfully, holding her in place.

Plus, if she’s sitting on me I’m less likely to attack Remus again, and since I’m not sure a second punch would go unpunished, this is for the best.

“So,” Remus says, looking around. “Judging by your call and by the suitcase waiting by the door, can I assume you’re ready to stand in front of the Senate?”

“Yes.” My sweet bunny wrings her hands together nervously. “How quickly can we leave?”

Remus pulls his phone out of his pocket and looks at it for a brief moment. Then he frowns. “Now. We should leave right fucking now.”

“Why?” I bark. “What’s happening?”

“Fabian has requested use of my jet. He wants to return to Rome,” Remus says thoughtfully.

“That makes no sense, unless…” Lucia trails off. Then she jumps out of my lap, and I quickly stand with her, sensing she’s about to say something bad. “He’s going to return and claim I’ve done something.”

“Like what?” I ask, hating that I don’t know enough about her world to figure it out for myself.

Instead of answering me, Lucia retrieves her phone and holds it up to her ear. When I open my mouth to repeat the question, she shakes her head, telling me not to speak.

“Jo,” she rushes out. “Look, I’m sorry to call you like this. I know you’re probably going to tell me you can’t tell me, but I have to ask anyway.”

Not able to hear Jo’s answer, I move to Lucia’s side. Taking the phone out of her hand, I press the speaker.

“What do you need, Lucia?” Jo asks, sounding worried.

“Do you know for how long Fabian and Tom discussed the terms of Fabian becoming a sponsor for the Sabertooths?”

Jo sighs. “For a year or so. But Tom wouldn’t bend on a few things that Fabian was adamant about.”

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