Page 125 of Intolerable Bishop

“Shut up and open it,” she said and rolled her eyes at me.

Cracking the lid, I opened it and stared down at a ticket. I didn’t understand until I pulled it out and read it. My heart stopped.

“How did you get this?”

She shrugged. “It took some negotiating, but that is the second part. I need to go with you. It kinda came as part of the deal to get the tickets.”

Walking away from her, I sat down on the bleachers and stared inside the box. I’d tried to get into this dinner so many times. I’d sent in my interest form early, called, begged, and couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t give me tickets when I had some of the best times in the country.

“I don’t understand,” I said, my eyes lifting to hers as she slowly walked over to join me. “I never heard back from them. I submitted my results over and over again and never got an invite.”

Ren rubbed her hands on her legs. “That’s not true. Apparently, Mr. Paval was very confused as to why you would submit your times, get an invite, and never RSVP. I’m guessing your dad intercepted the mail. I’m sorry, Nash.”

“My father hates that I swim. He hates that I want to make a team and go to the Olympics. He thinks I should worry about the family and the business, and that’s it. But to steal and destroy my invite…should’ve seen it coming.”

Closing the lid, I handed her back the box, and her face fell. “You don’t want to go?”

“No, I want to go, and I’m shocked and full of a bunch of emotions I can’t put into words. But if I take this home, there is a good chance they’ll go missing.” She smiled and nodded.

“I’ll keep them safe.”

Reaching out, I ran my finger down her cheek. “Thank you. This is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received.” I looked away as I choked back the flood of emotion that had me wanting to cheer, fuck her, and cry all at the same time.

Ren stood and placed her hand on my shoulder. “You work too hard not to get a shot. Fuck your father.” She gave me a small smile and walked away. It took everything in me not to grab her arm.

“Wait. Let me change, and I’ll walk you back to the main building. You shouldn’t be out alone.”

“It’s okay, Myles is waiting for me. Have a safe trip, Nash. I hope it goes the way you want.”

“Me too,” I whispered as she pushed out the doors and left me alone. Leaning forward, I placed my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. Not able to hold back the flood of emotion anymore, the tears quietly fell and hit the ground at my feet. One thing was clear: it didn’t matter if I found what I was looking for in Italy. I’d never be free until I killed my father. On graduation day, he was a dead man. I didn’t care who I had backing me. He wouldn’t steal anything else from me.

Never again.

ROME

AUGUST 29 – MONDAY 1:30 PM CET

Nash

Okay, I completely understood Theo’s anger now. That was the worst flight I’d ever been on. Grabbing my suitcase from the overhead bin, I had to fight with it to get it free and then started the journey off the plane and to baggage claim. People buzzed past me in all directions like ants on speed. Finally finding my bag as it came down the carousel, I grabbed it and headed out the exit.

Now, all I had to do was find…what the hell? I stopped in the middle of the walkway as I stared at a man who stood out like a sore thumb. He was tall, and his eyes found mine as he held up a sign with Nash Collier written on it.

I walked toward him but kept my eyes peeled to make sure that I wasn’t about to be tackled out of nowhere.

“I’m Nash,” I said, and he snapped his fingers. Four men, who were very obviously mafia with their long black coats and black-out sunglasses, walked over, took my bags, and surrounded me. This didn’t look good.

“Welcome to Rome. I’ve been expecting you.” He held out his hand for me to shake.

I shook it, mildly creeped out that he knew I was coming. “And who do I have the pleasure of talking to,” I asked, and he smiled.

“Name’s Mr. Genovese. I trust you’ve heard of me?” I barely managed to keep my jaw from hitting the floor.

“Yes, I’ve heard of you. I’m sorry, I’ve never seen a picture of you.”

“On purpose, my boy. Come, we have a lot to discuss.”

I swallowed. “Dean Henry told you that I’d be coming?” He smirked but didn’t answer, which was answer enough. What really freaked me out was that I hadn’t told Dean Henry about my flight. How the hell had he found out?