Page 101 of Brox Boar

He replies instantly. ‘On it.’

I need to deal with one more thing before I leave the office for Sol and his cleaning crew.

I dial Waddington’s number. He answers on the third ring.

“Mr. Boar,” he says, already guarded.

“Waddington. We saved you some time. Alessio knows about the will.”

“You told him?” Waddington asks.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Last night.”

“What was his response?”

“He wasn’t happy, of course. He threatened us, and then he got a taxi to the airport. He said he’s going back to Palermo, Sicily.”

“Right,” Waddington follows. “Probably to talk to his uncles.”

“He wants all correspondence sent there,” I continue.

“Alright,” Waddington says. “I’ll proceed.”

“Good. You do that.”

“I’ll keep you posted.”

I end the call and set the cell down. Alessio has been dealt with. I look at Morty, and I wish he wasn’t so horny. His eyes are open, unfocused, already empty of whatever made him talk. He wanted to fuck Georgina. Now he lies on my floor with his brains splattered across. That kind of bold gets you killed.

CHAPTER 27

LANA

I’m studying to be a doctor. I’ll take the Hippocratic Oath one day. Yet I was there, watching them kill Alessio. Watching blood seep across the marble floor. I remember thinking I should feel more. Horror. Revulsion. Something loud. Instead, I felt calm. That scared me more than anything.

I told myself it was a shock. A delay. Something that would surface later. But safety has become a different thing entirely. I’m with them now. I’ve been their soft place to land when the world demands violence. So the conflict faded inside me.

I glance at Rio as I sit low in the Corvette, the engine vibrating through my spine. Rio drives with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my knee. Sunlight flashes across the windshield, it’s too bright, even with my shades on. Shiaou picked them. Perfect fit. Perfect tint. Sometimes I think he sees me more clearly than I see myself.

Rio wears a white linen shirt, open at the collar, cream tailored shorts, suede loafers. Effortless. Classy. He mentioned a drive after my dentist appointment in a casual voice, but I know it’s already decided. It’s happening. Hence, me wearing my short floral dress, the neckline low enough to feel intentional. Warm air slides along my skin.

He’s driving me to the dentist. I’m overdue for a routine cleaning. I mean, Georgina is.

The building appears ahead, clean glass and pale stone. Rio pulls up, engine idling.

“Call me when you’re ready,” he says and pulls me in for a kiss.

I smile at him. He watches until I step onto the pavement, then the car slides away, red disappearing into glare.

I walk to the door and step inside. The reception desk sits empty except for a woman stacking papers. I give her my name and she checks the screen, and smiles, gesturing to the waiting area.

“Mr. Crowe will see you in a moment,” she says, gathering her things, and apologetically shrugging. “Lunch break.”

She leaves me by myself in the waiting area and it’s not long before I hear footsteps approaching.