Page 211 of Fierce Storm
“I don’t think that’s feasible. What about days when you have to fly to New York, or when you’re spending time with Isaac? You can’t stay with me for the next however long we live here.” My heart lurches over the fact that I just invited myself to move in, but Sal doesn’t seem to notice.
“I’m selling the house, Keels. We can’t live here after that.”
“What? No. I love this house. It has everything we need.”
“I’ll replicate it. Somewhere else. Somewhere that isn’t tainted anymore.”
“Sal.” I offer him a sad smile but he shakes me off.
“Don’t Sal me. I’ve already decided. Some fucker walked into this house with plans to attack you. Orworse. We can’t live here.I already called the real estate agent while you were chatting with everyone earlier. It’s done.”
“What if you don’t sell this one?”
“It can sit here empty for all I care.”
“How can you be so rich that you’ll happily leave a beachfront mansion empty, and yet, you still don’t have a jet? I think you need your priorities adjusted.”
Sal laughs so hard that the shadow of today finally starts to dissipate from over his head, and I can’t help but smile in relief.
“I’ll tell you what. When we sell this house, I’ll buy you a jet.”
“I don’t want—” He stares at me deadpan and I laugh. “Okay, you can buy me a jet. Deal.”
“Thank you. Now, call your mom back. I’m going to get the bed ready so you can rest.”
“The bed wasn’t calling me for rest, Sal. The bed was callingusso we can turn this day around.”
“Is that so?”
“It is. It’s time to rock my world again, old man. I need a broken back to match my ankle.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
SALVATORE
My phone buzzes on the coffee table in our new home, and I groan at having our peace disturbed. We moved out of the beach house within two days of the intruder incident, and three days later, I’d secured another house, despite Keeley suggesting we could both move into her apartment.
After seeing her so happy at the beach house, I wasn’t about to take that away from her. And in the end, this house is even better. Not only is it beachfront, but it also has a pool and an elevator, making it easier for Keeley while she continues to recover.
It wasn’t exactly on the market—it was one of those holiday rental places—but it’s amazing what a little determination and persuasion can do. Not to mention money.
The buzzing continues, and the incessant sound pulls me from my thoughts, making me blow out a breath as I reach over, switching it off.
My phone has been ringing nonstop since the day I got it back from the police, two days after they took it. I’ve had calls from real estate agents, my lawyers, Daniel, Austin,Camilla.Camilla. That one was a fun one. It turns out she knew nothing about the extra evidence she supposedly had on Gabriel Mikkleson.Nothing.Or at least nothing she could remember. In fact, Austin discovered that Gabriel’s nephew, the guy Austin had hired as his informant, had lied to him in the hope of lighting a fire under our asses. He wanted his uncles to go to prison for as long as possible so he could inherit his grandfather’s fortune, instead of it going to them. Apparently, his grandfather has a clause in his will to say that his fortune had to go to a male heir, meaning his mom was passed over.
He even gave me my hundred grand back, saying he wouldn’t be needing it anymore.
The little fucker played us and we fell for it.
Though it all worked out in our favor. Camilla testified against both the Mikkleson brothers in their trials and is counting down the days until the women are tried too. We all are. With Keeley’s and my statements, along with Camilla’s reports of being followed and the intruder’s deal, Jill and her sister-in-law were both found to be tampering with witnesses, leading to their arrests late last night.
Because of that, I only got a slap on the wrist for offering Jill money.
It’s over.
Paige didn’t have to testify, and she no longer requires security—though I convinced her to keep one of my guys on speed dial just in case she needs it.
Paige is safe. Camilla is safe. Marc is safe. And Keeley is by my side.
