Page 98 of Chaos Kills

“I’m not. You do a good enough job doing that all by yourself.”

I’m not a fan of the accusation, but it’s a stone-cold fact I’m sure he couldn’t wait to throw out there. “I’m not looking for another boyfriend.”

“And I’m not looking to be one.”

Cute.

Fucker.

Gathering back the here and now, there are more important things here that I’m not going to let slide either.

“How do you own a coffee shop in South Shore?”

“Technically, I’m bordering South Shore and Wharf Bay. Half of my building is in one city and the other?—”

“You don’t have two different addresses.”

“No shit. But technically, the line goes right through here.”

I cock my head in disbelief. “And why on earth would you want to do that?”

“My family is from South Shore, Little T. Didn’t you know?” No. However, it’s not like I’ve asked this guy for all of his personal beliefs and back story. “My father took Wharf Bay’s seat when yours took South Shore. My mother is originally from Wharf Bay, so my father made the position to improve the economy while making it part of the Titans back in the day.”

“To use against South Shore?”

He shakes his head. “No. That was before Emilio and his bullshit.”

“But your father sided up with?—”

“That’s a long story, Little T,” Cairo retorts softly. “One I’ll be more than happy to tell you when you’re not looking to bolt out of here like I’m about to kill you.”

I scoff, because he could try.

He’s not going to succeed.

He motions for someone, and I freeze. If he’s bringing father over here, I’m going to jump out the damn window next to the booth.

A tall blonde comes over, dressed in black and white, the uniform for the people who work here, and waits for Cairo’s order.

“Can you please lose the other drink? Miss Astor will be taking hers to go.”

She nods immediately and gives me a small smile. And it’s then I notice the black mark on the left side of her neck.

The girl winks at me, and I must be gaping at her because Cairo asks, “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing,” I quickly emit, clearing my throat and grabbing my coffee from the table. “I have somewhere to be.”

Cairo isn’t buying my brand of bullshit, but he lets me off. “If that’s what you want.”

Grabbing my drink, I ignore him still in my way and round his body when I’m forced to come face-to-face with a man who has no other reason to stand here but to meet me.

Cairo’s father.

He’s mid-fifties with tan skin, but his eyes don’t match the asshole who got me into this happy meeting. There are wrinkles along his hazel orbs and his forehead shows he’s had some stressful years. His grayish stubble, mixed with dark hair, only alludes that he’s one man and one man only.

Lorenzo fuckin’ Black.

“It’s finally good to see you again, Miss Astor.”

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