Page 152 of With Us

I grabbed my glass, keeping my pinkie out. My voice was a whisper. Or at least it was supposed to be. “He’skilledbefore.”

“Good. I bet they deserved it.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“Fuck no,” she said with enough venom I forgot about being a princess. “Poverty bothers me. Abused women and children. Senseless deaths, diseases, and decaf coffee. These things bother me. I’m not wasting time mourning people who had it coming.”

I chewed on my bottom lip. “Is that his decision to make, though? Isn’t that why we have courts and judges and stuff?”

She snorted. “Just like Marc did, Theopreventsthings. If their form of punishment is coming after the fact, it’s because whoever doesn’t deserve to breathe easy in prison. Or because the dicks have the money and power to walk away free.”

“You make him sound like Robin Hood or something.”

“He is. Only he’s smart enough to take his cut of things.” She sat up, squeezing her eyes closed for a moment. “Dizzy.” Opening them, she gave me her drunk version of a serious face. “He’s no saint, otherwise he’d do the shit for free.”

“My head is a mess. I need to talk to him. Should I call him? I’m gonna call him.”

“Doooo it. You’ll drive yourself nuts before you figure it out on your own. Even though I’m a genius,” she hiccupped, “I can’t tell you what to do.” Her eyes moved to the photo album. “But I can tell you, I had love and it was ripped from me. Don’t give it up unless you’re sure.” She grabbed my phone and tossed it to me.

“Right now?” I squeaked.

“It’s already ringing.” She laughed like a maniacal genius.

“Dahlia?” Theo’s voice was muffled and low coming from the phone in my lap. “Is everything okay? Are you there?”

“Nothing. Everything.” I closed my eyes and lowered my voice. “I’m confused and need answers. Since you’re the only one who can provide said answers, I was hoping I could request a meeting. I’ll bring a briefcase.”

“My gattina, are you drunk?”

“Yes. Very. Now regarding our Q and A, when are you available?”

“I’ll be there in ten.”

“I don’t have the briefcase!” I squawked. My heart hammered in my chest, though I wasn’t sure if it was nerves or lust. I wanted to climb him like a tree, but I also wanted to tell him to go to hell.

“See you soon.”

I looked down at the phone after he’d disconnected. “Apparently, he’s coming to get me.”

“Good. You’re welcome to come back, but I think you need to talk to him. And I hope you don’t come back, but only because that’d mean you were happy there.”

“Tell me more about the fights,” I said, needing the distraction.

“First, let me tell you about thefighters.”

It was only five minutes before Theo knocked at the door.

Julie cut off her description of Marc fighting and looked at me.

My eyes were wide, my stomach clenching as anger and confusion fought through my drunken daze.

“Remember,” she whispered, “make this decision based on what you want. What will make you happy. You don’t owe the world a single thing. Especially not the motherfuckers he puts in the ground. They don’t deserve your thoughts or consideration. They sure as hell don’t deserve you throwing away the kind of love and life Theo can offer you.”

I nodded, though her words did little to sort my head, only adding to the jumbled mess.

When the knock came again, Julie stood to open the door, and I held my breath.

It all whooshed out when I saw Theo.

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