Page 9 of Samuel

“Hm … I don’t think so. He doesn’t like me. This is really a win-win. What did he call about?” I ask innocently.

“He wants to talk to me about maintaining our alliance but annulling your marriage to him.”

“Shut up! Are you serious?”

“You’re such a kid sometime. I should ship you to Italy to complete your training in the hospitals there,” Daniel complains.

“Don’t threaten me with a good time. I love Italy. In fact, I’ll even agree to take Tayko with me if you do that.”

“Never going to happen. You terrify Tayko and he’s never afraid. He once took down a black bear with no other weapon than his hands.”

“Pfft … I didn’t do anything.”

“Except warn him that if he didn’t back off, you were going to sedate him when he least expected it.”

I shrug. “Some men would look forward to the rest I was offering.”

“Then, you proceeded to tell him how you knew the quickest way to slice him open, wrap your hand around numerous vital organs and give him so much pain that it would either kill him or make him pass out after praying for death.”

“I was just sharing some of my medical knowledge. He overreacted,” I lie, while sniffing as if Tayko is just a big wimp.

“I don’t suppose you plan on attending my meeting with Samuel Levkin on Wednesday?”

“Nope! I’m going to be working doubles at the hospital. I’ll pack up tomorrow and spend Wednesday night working, then crash on an ER cot Thursday morning.”

“I’m not stupid Izzy. When the truth comes out, Levkin will be out for blood. We’ve led the man to believe you are that whore you insist on hanging around with.”

“Now, brother, you’ve probably had as many lovers as she’s had,” I point out helpfully.

“Doubtful. In any case, I can confirm that I’ve never had more than two lovers at one time. I believe Natalie’s record is eight.”

My hands slap over my ears in response. “I don’t want to hearthat!” I screech. “Damn it, Daniel! I do not need the mental picture of my brother getting it on with two women at once.”

“Who said it was two women? There are many ways to have threesomes, Izzy,” he replies with a lazy smile.

My eyes go wide as I look at my brother. “But you’re not into men.”

“No, but I’m into pleasing my partner in whatever way she enjoys. Some women like a little more attention.”

“Whatever you say, Daniel. You shouldn’t slut-shame Natalie then. Threesomes aren’t that far away from an eightsome. Actually, I guess you could call it an octa-some.”

“The word you’re looking for, dear sister, is orgy. There’s no intimacy or tenderness needed. It’s just fucking.”

“Well, anyway, let Samuel believe he’s calling off the wedding to Natalie. Get him to sign the appropriate paperwork and I’ll do the same. This whole marriage can be behind me. I’ll finally begin living my life without having a black cloud hanging over my head.”

“What happens when he figures out that you are his wife, and he was lied to?”

“How could he? He doesn’t know you are aware he’s been talking to Natalie thinking she’s me. If anything, he may get mad at me, but it will be done. The worst that can happen is he’ll forfeit the alliance. He’s not going to declare war on the Navarro family. Since you’ve taken over, your support has doubled. You have just as many allies—if not more—than he does, Daniel.”

“You’re playing with fire, Izzy, and it is going to get you burned.”

“I’m a doctor. I can deal with burns. Just get me out of this horrible marriage I’m in. I’ll make sure I’m gone Wednesday.”

“What happens if he brings Natalie and tries to make her sign the documents?”

“Shit. I didn’t think of that.” Daniel shakes his head. His facial expression leaves little doubt that he thinks I’m insane. If I am, being married to a stranger made me that way. “I’ll call Natalie. She’ll play along if for no other reason than she wants Samuel single so she can sink her hooks into him.”

“Did I tell you that you’re playing with fire?” Daniel asks, exasperated.

---