Page 111 of Dirty Hearts

That was fine. I’d be ready. I’d be damn ready whether or not this was above me.

Tomorrow, I would take down Goliath and finish what he started seven years ago.

Even if it killed me.

Chapter 27

Ava

* * *

Today was the big day, and I could barely keep my eyes open.

It was Friday, April16th. The day I’d prepped for, for such a long time, and first of all, I looked like crap, my hair was a literal mess, and I had bags and dark circles under my eyes.

I looked nothing like the clean-cut, sophisticated restauranteur I normally presented to the world.

It was a good thing Kelly was here. At least she looked chipper and bright. As she should. Today was a big celebration for her too. We’d been official business partners for a year, although we’d worked together forever, and we did good.

I just wasn’t able to celebrate the way I wanted.

I flipped over the pancake I was making so the other side could get done.

Kelly walked in with a bright smile on her face, cheeks red.

I knew she was happy I was here, but that look was for something else.

“Do they all talk like that? Calling women dolls?” The red on her cheeks brightened.

“Yes, they kind of do. What happened now?”

“Oh nothing,” she answered with a smitten look on her face.

She totally had a crush on Luc. And if she tried to deny it, I would call her out on it right in front of him.

She was also loving the attention she was getting from Donny far too much.

They were all here. At this time of morning.

Luc, Maurice, Donny, Louis, and Saul were on the inside. There were a few guys I didn’t know on the outside. Not directly outside. Just around the restaurant, protecting the place.

They all acted like something was going to happen, and it made me antsy.

It was eight. The restaurant had opened for breakfast at seven thirty, and the place was already packed. I would have hated for anything to happen here. I prayed nothing would.

It was ironic since the last time I was here, I nearly got kidnapped again.

“And must they all look hot? You didn’t tell me mafia guys were all hot. Even Saul is a looker, until he opens his mouth.”

“Kelly, are you having indecorous thoughts before you’ve even walked down the aisle? Should I remind you that you’re engaged? Also, Luc is married, with a child.”

She rolled her eyes at me and looked embarrassed. “I’m not having indecorous thoughts. Just making an observation. I’m engaged, not dead. My eyes register these things, and fact is fact. The man is hot. Ariel’s having a field day.”

I smiled. It was a weak smile, but one nonetheless. My shoulders slumped, and the weakness I’d previously felt washed over me.

Claudius had really upset me last night.

He’d walked away from me and never answered, never said anything. Despite the fact that he must have known how worried I was.