Page 40 of Fated Love with You

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“That you’ve been a problem for me from day one,” I say. “On the one hand, I would like to keep trying to solve you.”

“And on the other?”

I pull her against my chest instead of wasting my limited time with questions. I press my lips against hers, kissing her, but… she doesn’t kiss me back.

Her arms stay at her sides. Her mouth is still.

And then I know.

She’s not here.

None of this is.

The sea disappears in a blink. The hiss of a cigar replaces the crashing waves.

I open my eyes, and I’m not standing on the bridge. I’m on my balcony, and Chester is across from me, puffing on a cigar, watching me like I’ve lost my fucking mind.

“Guess how much was real and how much was fake,” he says, exhaling a ribbon of smoke.

“Sounds like a double entendre…”

“Twelve million real,” he says. “Six million fake.”

“Noted.” I nod, realizing Autumn will need to be picked up in reality from Resno’s soon.

“Want to hear a joke?” Chester asks.

“Not particularly.”

“I’ll go for it anyway. Knock knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Fucking up.”

I set down my paper. “Fucking up, who?”

“I’m going to fuck you up if you don’t stay focused.”

“That’s a terrible punchline.”

“They’ll be here in three weeks.” He slides a photo onto my desk, and my blood instantly runs cold.

“All of them?”

“Yes,” he says. “Apparently they want to dance on your grave before they kill you.”

I run my finger along the men’s necks, envisioning, like I have so many times before, slitting them, killing them—like they nearly killed me.

“Will you be ready?”

“Always.”

“Good.” He snatches it away. “I’ll do you a favor today then, but this family shit stops after.”

I arch a brow, confused.