Free Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series by Reese Madison, Lynne Foster Page B

either wants your cooperation, or your life.” Myles continued.
    I sat back down hard. “He’s going to try to kill me tonight?”
    “No. We agreed you would have two weeks to bury your… Mr. Whitmore, then if you refuse him he’ll come after you. I’m sure we can have you well hidden by then.” Lou chimed in this time.
    “Why the grace period? Why not just take me out here?”
    “It’s an old custom. Paulie also likes a good game of cat and mouse. He’s very angry about whatever went down between himself and your father. I think he wants to see you squirm as he drags out his revenge. He’s sick, that’s what makes him a good enforcer. When your reputation precedes you people tend to think twice before messing with you and yours.” Lou explained rather well. He’s pretty good at that. Huh.
    “So, if I go along with whatever this is, then he leaves me alone?”
    “Yes.”
    “And if I don’t, then I spend the rest of my life running and looking over my shoulder.” I determined.
    “I’m sure he would give up after a while, but you’d still have to lay low.” Myles picked up a kevlar vest. “Put this on just in case.”
    “I thought you said he wouldn’t try to kill me tonight?”
    “It’s not likely, but I’m not taking any chances. I raised you Barbara. You’re the closest thing I have to a daughter. The closest I’ll ever have. For the last twenty-three years you’re all I’ve known. I won’t lose you to some mob asshole.” He informed me simply as he strapped me into the vest.
    Lou put one of his own on. “You’ve been with her since she was born?”
    “Yes. From the minute her mother died I’ve been her parent. Mr. Whitmore dove into his work and left me to see to her care. I changed her diapers and wiped her tears. If anyone is her father, it’s me, not him.” He replied angrily.
    I started crying at his words. Myles doesn’t talk like this very often. “I love you too Myles.”
    He nodded and stepped back, “Alright kid, let’s get this over with so I can get some sleep for a change.”
    “Amen too that.” Lou agreed.
    “I may never sleep again.” I complained as they led me out of the room and down to the casino via the elevator.
     
    We walked to a private gambling room with one poker table, one blackjack table, and a few other tables I didn’t recognize. I think that one is a roulette wheel. I know next to nothing about gambling. I can play a mean game of rummy with Myles, but that’s about as far as my card playing knowledge goes.
    A tall grotesquely round, Italian looking, bald guy in a grey pinstriped Armani suit stood up from one of the tables and looked me over. “Well well, the spitting image of your mother.”
    “Can we just get this over with?” I asked curtly. I want out of here. This room stinks of scumbags.
    He nodded, “Sure, have a seat.”
    “I’d rather not. I understand you have a business proposition for me?” I want to get to the point so I can go back upstairs and curl up in Lou’s arms for what will likely be a good cry, or perhaps a soothing sweet kiss.
    “I would appreciate if you would sit.” He insisted.
    My inner bitch blew on her fingernails and drew up some serious Salem Charm. God bless that school. “I would appreciate it if you would stop telling me what to do, and tell me what you want.” Ooh, that sounded good even to me. Now if my heart would stop pounding I might survive this.
    He sat back in the chair that looked like it could barely hold the weight of this big fat man. I guess that’s where my weight issues come from. “Your mother’s looks and my guts. Well, at least you have something going for you. Alright. Have it your way. I want you father’s assets. Keep the cash, I want the businesses and all that belongs to them.”
    “Why?”
    “Because he fucked me out of eight million dollars, that’s why.”
    “Fucked you out of, or stole?”
    “Is there a difference?” He snapped.
    “Yes, if he botched a deal that