Page 81 of The Pretender
“Deal,” Brogan says.
“Works for me.” Balt kisses my cheek again. “Brogan is right. You deserve the best person too.”
How do I tell him I think I’ve already got him? I wasn’t supposed to get my feelings involved, but my heart apparently didn’t get the message. I’m going to be a mess when this is all over, but I have to push that inevitable reality away and enjoy whatever time I have left with him.
That will have to be enough for now.
TWENTY-FOUR
balthazar
I’m just aboutto relax while Deo is at the main house talking with Brogan when my personal phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out quickly, hoping it’s not my sister with more bad news, but I’m greeted by an unknown caller. I’m not sure why, but I feel compelled to answer it so I do.
“Hello?”
“Money Man.”
My blood turns cold. He found my personal number.
“Hi, Vin.”
“You coward-ass motherfucker,” he spits. “Do you really think I can’t find you?”
“I know you can. I’m simply stating my case before you do. I didn’t take your money, Vin. If you’d listen to me, I can tell you exactly where it is.”
“Where you put it? Where you stole it?”
“It’s all there. I didn’t steal a penny. I’m not stupid. Come on, Vin, it’s been ten years. Don’t you trust me by now?”
“I don’t trust nobody. You fucking know that. Why’d you run if you’re innocent?”
“Excuse me, but you’re not exactly known for speaking first and shooting later. I don’t even know how this happened. Who started this rumor?”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s looking pretty true to me, Money Man. First the account is empty and then you disappear. Not screaming innocence to me.”
“I warned you about the business deal. I told you it was gonna bring too much heat on you, but you wouldn’t listen.”
“The fuck are you talking about?”
“Listen, Vin?—”
“No, you listen.” His voice dips to that dark, dangerous place I’ve heard too many times to feel comfortable with. It’s the voice he uses right before someone takes a bullet between the eyes. “You can run, but I’m gonna find you, and if I don’t see your face in eight days, I’ll pay a visit to your lovely sister. Those are the facts.”
Before I can say another word, Vin ends the call, leaving me stunned on the couch. I have to get out of here, but going back to face him is a sure ticket to my demise. But my sister… I’m so fucked. A memory rushes back. Nonna. Could she really help me out of this mess? Could I go to her without involving Deo and ruining his perception of me?
And then what? Even if I somehow get Vin to accept the truth, I can’t just go back like nothing happened. I’ll always have a target on my back, and any one of Vin’s goons could pick me off at any time.
I’d have to start over somewhere new, rebuild my name without a single client recommendation. Starting over is better than dead though, and maybe Deo would let me stay here long enough to get on my feet. I have plenty of savings, but I need more to do.
Cold wind slams into me as the front door opens and Deo enters. He looks amazing all bundled up in a charcoal wool coatand scarf, his cheeks and nose a rosy pink. He smiles as he pulls his coat off.
“Hey.”
“Hi. All good with Brogan?”
Deo nods, grazing his bottom lip with his teeth. “Yep. They’ve got a date tonight.”
“That’s exciting. Are they younger or older than you?”
