Page 54 of Amore
“It’s okay. The store is just down the street. I’ll be back in no time.”
“Okay. I’ll stay here and study my script some more.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask her to come with me to pick out anything she wanted, but I didn’t ask because I figured she didn’t want to be seen in public since the news broke about her attack. “You’ll be okay here alone again?”
“You won’t be gone long, right?”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “I’ll just get stuff to grill some burgers.”
“And fries?” Her eyes lit up.
I grabbed my keys from the table by the door. “Yeah. We can’t have burgers without fries.”
I kissed Frankie’s cheek, told Amore I’d be back and to be a good boy, and then headed for my car. I hit the alarm button on the key fob and stopped. “What the fuck?”
My two back tires were flat.
I moved closer and saw that they had been slashed, then looked at the front two tires too. They had also been sliced. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I didn’t have to wonder who vandalized my car, but it sure shocked the shit out of me, given she was a cop.
Taking my phone out of my pocket, I texted Candace.
Me:Thanks for fucking up my tires.
As I walked back to my apartment, she texted back:I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Stopping at the bottom of my stairs, I grunted and replied:Yeah, okay. I get it. You’re pissed.
Candace:I’m more than pissed. You broke my fucking heart, Luke.
Me:I’m sorry, but fucking up my car isn’t going to change things.
Candace:And fucking Frankie Borelli isn’t going to make you famous.
Not once had I ever given Candace the impression I wanted to be famous. I didn’t.
She sent another text:And being her bodyguard isn’t going to make you a hero.
Me:I’m not doing it to be a hero.
Candace:No, you’re doing it because you love her.
She was getting me worked up, so I replied:Is that it? You want me to admit that I’m in love with her?
Candace:Are you?
I stared up at the evening sky as I thought about what I should text back. Finally, I went with the truth, even though I knew it would hurt Candace.
Me:Yes.
I waited a few seconds for Candace to reply, and when she didn’t, I went up the stairs to my apartment. Frankie stared with wide eyes as I opened the door.
When she realized it was me, her body relaxed. “That was fast.”
I closed the door. “Change of plans.”
17
