Page 30 of Breathtaking

How did you pass your secondary school exams?

Atticus

I blew a professor or two.

Lennon

Sounds about right.

Atticus

Maybe try blowing the mafia prince. Maybe you could get him to put a hit on Monty.

Lennon

Please tell me you’re not serious.

Atticus

Nope. If I thought that would work, I’d put the hit out myself. But he’s like a cat with nine lives. He’d probably come back a bigger asshole than he already is.

Lennon

Truth.

Atticus

Hope you’re wearing something that shows off your tits. He may take the news better if he can see the fun bags.

Lennon

I hate you.

Atticus

You don’t.

Lennon

Fine. I don’t. But you’re a pain in my ass.

Atticus

I accept that. Call me later and let me know how he takes it.

Lennon

Love you.

Atticus

You too.

I sit down next to Maria and drop my head back against the cushion, wondering how I ended up here. Absolutely furious with myself for feeling so helpless. For allowing myself to even be in a position where everyone else has more say over my life than I do. But completely unable to see an answer through the maze laid out before me. “Any chance you can use your super-secret spy skills to find me a needle in a haystack?”

Maria cocks her eyebrow and turns her computer my way.

A website for West End Bar & Grill stares back.