Page 42 of Devil's Deal

From the mouth of the door, Harlow called, “It’s me…Harlow. Everest told me not to look, but I’m not sure what’s going on. Can I come in?”

Dante, Cory, and I all barked, “No,” at the same time.

“Well, I’m not going until I know Cory’s okay,” Harlow said belligerently.

Dante chuckled softly. “So the kitty does have some bite,” he said more to himself than anyone else.Jesus.Did I have to worry about that now, too?

Cory clucked his tongue and pushed up on the arms of his chair to stand. He wobbled right as I got my arms around him to hold him up. “I’m okay, Harlow. It’s just?—"

“There’s a dead body in here, Harlow. It’s messy enough without you losing your stomach,” Everest said.

Dante and I gaped at the older man as Cory began cackling.

When he doubled over with laughter, I grew concerned. “Everest, is there a way up to the belfry through the tunnels?”

He tipped back on his heels. “Indeed, there is. That’s how we got up there for my first kiss, through these here tunnels.” He pointed at Dante. “I can show you a way out to the back of the building, as well. No one will see a thing.”

With tears streaking down his cheeks, Cory fought to calm himself. I wasn’t sure if they were from laughter or shock. “Is there anything else I need to learn today? Huey being a madman would’ve been enough. Bosley’s name is really Romeo, which, let’s face it. That’s a good thing. And let’s not forget the tunnels running around and under and over my hotel. No, really, if there’s anything else I should know, lay it on me.”

Dante lifted his hand. “I’m a soldier for the Buccelli Family.”

From out in the hallway, Harlow gasped. Cory, on the other hand, waved Dante off. “Old news. That I knew.”

“I wondered which Family you were from,” Everest said like he found out people were from the mafia every day.

“I think I need to get you upstairs, my quirky boy. I think you might be going into shock,” I said, returning my full focus to Cory.

He looked up at me adoringly. “You freaked out.”

“I did,” I admitted. There was no sense denying it. The evidence was all over the floor.

“You like me,” he said smugly.

I resisted rolling my eyes—barely. “It appears that I do.”

From the hallway, Harlow said, “Awe.”

Dante huffed, planting his hands on his hips. “This place is so weird.” He focused on Everest. “Can you please direct the lovebirds up to the belfry, take Harlow back up front, and then come back with my guys?”

Everest grinned. “I’d be happy to. It’s nice feeling useful.”

“This is like a bad joke,” Cory mumbled to himself.

As we crossed the threshold back out into the tunnel, he suddenly had his arms full of a trembling Harlow. “I was so worried. Are you okay?” He leaned back then saw Cory’s head. “What the hell did he do to you?”

Cory patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it, but I need you to handle things for me the rest of the day and tonight. Can you do that?”

Harlow stood up straighter. “You can count on me.”

Cory sagged against me, tired but steady, and smiled at Harlow with pride. “I know I can. We’ll talk about your responsibilities and schedule in a couple of days. I’d like to rely on you a little more if that’s okay with you.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then I’m going to need you to do one more thing for me. Actually, two.”

“Anything,” Harlow said so sincerely it kind of melted my hardened heart.

“Don’t tell anyone about what’s going on down on here.”

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