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I smile warmly. “You have my word.” I’m lying, of course. I have every intention of leaking this shit to an associate I have, who’ll make sure it is disseminated to the right people in the FBI. They will no doubt take a lot of interest in what Harold Rothman has been up to in recent years. I consider it my civic duty.
Landon scuttles away like the cockroach he is when I step back. I don’t think Rory will have to worry about him anymore, but if he does try anything, he’s a dead man. I push my gun back into my waistband and head back to the car.
“Are you OK?” she asks anxiously when I climb in. Joel beams at me in the rearview mirror and I smile back. He’s such a cute little boy. Thank God nothing of his sperm donor is evident.
“Peachy.” I start the engine and we pull away.
“And…what about…”
“Forget about him. You don’t need to worry about that piece of shit anymore. He’s gone.”
Chapter 29
Rory
Joel is thrilled we’re in Romano’s apartment. His eyes were like saucers in the elevator and he almost combusted with excitement when he realized Romano had a gaming console. Right now, he’s engrossed in some kids’ game Romano downloaded for him. And if he gets bored of that, there’s a massive TV hooked up to every streaming platform under the sun.
I have no clue what’s going on or what Romano wants from me. He’s supposed to be my boss but here we are, in his luxurious apartment, while he cooks pasta. I feel like I’ve fallen into a wormhole and emerged in some kind of alternate reality. Any moment now, I’ll wake up and be back in my shitty apartment with Mom watching her favorite quiz show and Joel building Lego structures.
The shock of seeing Landon again has left me in bits. While I trust Romano when he says the asshole won’t bother me anymore, I’m still freaking out. Although the glass of wine Romano handed me five minutes ago is helping soothe my nerves.
Mom called a short while ago to say she’d had a visit from the doctor Romano recommended. He thinks she’s a great candidate for a new drug trial, so with a bit of luck, she can start it soon. She sounded so much better and all being well, she’ll be home at the end of the week.
“You OK?” There’s a slight note of uncertainty in his voice, which is at odds with the ultra-confident persona he projects 99.99% of the time. I’m not sure what to make of it, but I like that he realizes this is not a foregone conclusion.
“Not really,” I admit.
“Tell me what’s bothering you.” He takes my glass, places it on the counter, and pulls me into his arms. I love the way he makes me feel safe but it scares me that I’m getting too used to this.
To him.
“I’m not sure us being here is a good idea.”
His body stiffens but he doesn’t let me go. “In what way?”
“Joel means everything to me. I have to put his needs first.”
“I understand that,” he replies. “So what’s the problem?”
“You!” I blurt out. At this, he releases me and steps back looking a bit confused, and, dare I say it, hurt.
“And what does that mean?”
It’s so hard to explain but I have to try because as much as I’m afraid of letting him see my vulnerabilities, I don’t want to hurt him. Or myself.
“If I let you into my life, you have to understand that Joel is going to get attached, so if you decide that having any kind of relationship with me isn’t what you want, he’s going to be devastated.”
Romano’s expression softens. “What makes you think I’m going to walk away in a few weeks, or whatever timespan you have conjured up?”
“Maybe the fact you’ve fucked most of the dancers and Kat thinks you and her are practically engaged?”
He has the grace to look slightly chagrined. “OK, that’s a fair assessment of my dating history, but I can assure you, Kat is delusional. Yes, we had sex twice last year, but at no point did I give her any hint it meant more than a casual one-night thing. And besides, she’s been sacked.”
“Sacked??”
“Yeah, she told me your mother called the club twice and she failed to pass the message on. I’m guessing that’s why you attacked her and then left?”
I scowl at him. “Damned right. Fucking bitch!”
