Page 164 of Hexed
Matteo narrows his eyes. “And you want our help?”
“I don’t need your help to do what needs to be done. I just want to know you’ve got my back with the other families when the time comes, the same way I’ll have yours.”
There are a few tense, silent moments when all of us are standing in the in-between, waiting for a decision to be made that will outline our futures. And then Matteo smirks, puts out his hand and nods.
“You have my word. You take out the trash, and we’ll support your seat at the head of the table.”
FORTY-FIVE
VENESA
Scotty broughtme to Enzo’s penthouse, which…I’m not thrilled about, since I thought I made myself clear on where I stood on staying here when Aria’s tainted every piece of furniture.
Still, objectively, I can admire how badass the place itself is.
It’s immaculate, really. Again, very high up in the sky with a lot of windows, but maybe he just likes to torture himself.
Clearly, we’ve figured out a way to get him to conquer those fears, and as soon as this apartment doesn’t feel like Aria’s space anymore, I’ll let him fuck me up against these windows too.
Scotty didn’t stay, just brought me here and then said he had errands to run, taking Bastien with him and letting me know they’d be back later to keep me company.
I’m thankful for the alone time, honestly. Gives me a chance to walk around and get a sense of Enzo. It quickly becomes obvious that although he was engaged to Aria, she didn’t live here because it screamssophisticated single man.
The lines are very straight and narrow, with lots of monochromatic schemes. Black couches and white tables.
Expensive artwork on the walls and expressionist sculptures.
There’s no personal touch. No pictures of family or friends.
Not that I had any either. I just always assumedhewould.
I studiously avoid the bedroom, not ready to face it, and I make my way back to the living room and sit on the couch. I take out my phone and send another text to Fisher.
Are you okay? I’m getting worried. Call me!! I have so much to tell you! Miss you, Gup.
Surprisingly, three dots pop up before I can put my phone down.
Hey, I’m good. Just missing you. Wanna chat?
Call me!
He sends a video request, and I answer immediately.
“God, I was thinking you’d been abducted,” I say.
He laughs and leans back in the driver’s seat of his car.
“What are you up to?” I ask.
“Just trying to take a few minutes. Things have been wild since you’ve been gone.”
My brows draw in. “How so?”
He shrugs. “Just running the Lair, which your uncle is still letting me do, if you can believe it. It’s like he’s trying to replace you with me.” He runs a hand down his face. “I don’t know how you did it.”
I’m not surprised. He wouldn’t get rid of the Lair because of the money it brings in, and Fisher’s the only one who knows that place like the back of his hand. Uncle T might hate me now, but he’s not someone to miss taking advantage of simple situations if they present themselves.
“But I don’t want to talk about me,” Fisher goes on. “Where are you? What’s up? I miss you, Short Stack.”
