Page 53 of Little Fury

“What?” I ask, genuinely surprised by this announcement.

“I was talking to him this morning, and he wants to come enjoy the ocean before we leave here. He was in New York, so he booked himself on the next flight here.”

“Well, that’ll be fun,”I say, my sarcasm not masked one bit.

“I want Alexi as my second.”I nod at that statement. I knew it was coming. I don’t like Alexi and trust him even less than Enzo. I could stop it if I wanted, but I don’t want to work for Marcus like that. I have no desire to be part of theMafia world. They’re loud and messy, and women are not accepted for the most part.“So, he’s going to come here so I can go over some things with him for when we return to New York. Besides, I need my team. I don’t know how many will be left standing after we move on Enzo. I feel like it makes sense to have my family.”

“It does. I expected the Sokolovs to fill in any spots you needed filled. But speaking of Enzo. Marcus, it really would be easier and cleaner just to kill him.”

“Ava, my father is going to pay for throwing me away. He will pay with his pride and status. When he signs the family over to me, he will do it on his knees at my feet like the piece of shit he is. I want him to live, wondering if I’m going to kill him. I want him to live the rest of his days out in squalor.”

“That is the plan. I just wanted to offer up an easier option one last time.”

“Thanks,”he says with a chuckle.

“What do you want to do for the rest of the day?”I ask as we keep walking towards the house.

“I’m open to anything. I thought you would probably want to swim in the ocean today.”

I grin at him,“You know me so well! That is exactly what I want to do. I want to swim, read, and listen to music. Oh, and eat! Speaking of eating, I’m hungry. We should grab a lobster sandwich from that little dive a block from the house.”

“Anything you want, Ava.”He tells me his words soft.

We spend the day at the beach, enjoying the water, sun and reading. Marcus finally finishedSoul Eaterand decided to read the entireMonstrousseries by Lily Maine. When we get back to the house, he heads inside to shower quickly and then drives to grab our dinner. He kisses me goodbye before he leaves. My fingers go to my lips, feeling them, remembering his kiss, thinking how it seems impossible to me that he kisses me now. As I dial a number, I stand on the deck,watching the sun go down over the ocean. She answers on the second ring.

“Ava!” Beth’s voice sounds so happy to hear from me.

“How are you? How’s Marcus?”

“Ah, we’re good. Just relaxing, enjoying the sun and ocean.”

“I bet you are.”

“What?”I ask, puzzled by her statement.

“How long did it take him?”

“Take him to do what?”

“Don’t play dumb, Ava. It’s not becoming on you.”

“How did I never see it, Beth?”

“I don’t know Ava. That boy has been in love with you since he met you.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me? Or even hint at it? Give me a heads-up. I told him all about Finn when I was dating him. Fuck, Beth, I told Marcus as soon as I got home after I lost my virginity to Finn.”

“Language, Ava. It was not mine or Harry’s place to tell you.”

“Harry knew?” I screech.

“Ava honey, you’re gonna need to accept that everybody but you knew.”

“Fucking hell.”

“Language.” Beth scolds me again, and it brings a smile to my face.

“I still can’t believe nobody let it slip for all those years. I mean, Parker has the biggest mouth ever.”

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