Page 100 of Edge

I hadn’t realized she was listening to our conversation and felt slightly embarrassed about complaining. She noticed my discomfort and shook her finger at me. “We’ll have none of that. Answer the question.”

“Yes, Mom,” I said and stuck out my tongue. “He said most people feel tired and are easily exhausted after having part of their lung removed for six to eight weeks, but it would probably be a little while longer since I also lost a kidney.”

“What else did he say?”

“He said I should take it easy and listen to my body, meaning I should rest when I felt tired.”

“You went out and walked around a little. You got tired, and now you’re going home to rest. Sounds like you’re right on track to me.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right,” I admitted.

“If it’s any consolation, I’m tired, too.”

“Me, too,” Byte said.

“Same,” Edge added.

“I could go for a nap,” Dice said, causing the rest of us to laugh.

Back at the house, I had a quick snack and took something for pain before Irene and I got comfortable on the couch and started looking at floor samples and diner furniture online. We’d moved on to industrial kitchen appliances when Phoenix arrived at the house.

“Mind if I interrupt?” he asked.

“Of course not,” I said cheerfully. “What can we do for you?” My pain medicine had kicked in and I didn’t have a care in the world.

Phoenix chuckled. “I spoke with Luca Peccati. The restaurant is yours if you want it.”

My mouth dropped open in surprise. I wanted to jump up and dance around the room, but Irene had a different reaction. She crossed her arms as best as she could with one in a sling and cocked her head to the side. “What’s the catch?”

“There’s no catch. He knows who you are and was familiar with your diner in Cedar Valley. I told him you were thinking about relocating to Croftridge after the fire. He mentioned his available property before I had a chance to tell him you were interested,” Phoenix explained. “He also said he would come down on the price. He listed it high to ‘weed out the undesirables.’”

“I have to wait for the insurance payout before I can do anything.”

“He knows. He said to take your time and think it over. If you decide you want to buy the property, he won’t sell it out from under you while you’re waiting for the insurance company.”

Irene leaned forward and lowered her voice. “By doing this, I won’t be getting in bed with the Mafia, will I?”

Phoenix leaned back and laughed. “Luca’s association with the Mafia has never been confirmed.”

Irene rolled her eyes. “That just means he hasn’t been caught. And it doesn’t answer my question.”

“No, you wouldn’t be agreeing to anything with the Mafia. This would be a business transaction, just like any other.”

I raised my hand and wiggled my fingers. “I have a question.”

“Go ahead.”

“Does that ‘no ties to the Mafia’ thing apply to me, too?”

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Luca’s the one who helped me that morning,” I whispered. “Do I owe a Mafia boss for getting rid of a body for me?”

Phoenix continued to laugh. “Technically, that was a favor for me, so you’re good.”

“You used a Mafia favor for me? That’s sweet, and kind of scary.”

“How much have they given her?” Phoenix asked Irene.