Page 25 (1/2)

Haven spent theand finished near three o’clock when she heard cars outside The alarm beeped and the front door opened as she stepped into the doorway to the kitchen, a few voices carrying through the house Dr DeMarco walked in with two men behind hiht of them

Dr DeMarco’s eyes met hers She realized theseand cold, with no regard for people like her They were like that part of Dr DeMarco she’d seen in his bedroo a deep breath, she stepped forward to gauge his reaction The corner of his lips turned up, and she took his reaction to s treathered, theus a bottle of scotch and solasses," Dr DeMarco told her with a flippant wave Haven scuttled to the kitchen She searched the cabinets until she located the alcohol, and she scoured through the bottles, finding a brown one in the back with GLENFIDDICH SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKEY written on it She wiped off the unopened dusty bottle and juggled three glasses on her way back to the family room She delivered the drinks, too nervous to irl"

Haven chanced a peek at the lass An air of authority surrounded hi him He was clearly older than them

"Yes," Dr DeMarco said "It’s her"

"I’m curious, Vincent," the man said "Do you think she orth it?"

Dr DeMarco’s bitter laughter sent chills down Haven’s spine, putting her e "Personally or as business?"

"Personally"

"Of course she wasn’t worth it"

She lost her breath, his words striking her hurt Had she been thatas a business, "she’s a hard worker"

"So she wasn’t a bad investuy asked Haven looked at him Investment? Their eyes met, his the cold drab shade of a knife’s blade Her skin crawled at their interest in her She had to look away

"You could say that" Dr DeMarco shifted position and cleared his throat "Why don’t you start dinner, child? My guests will be joining us tonight"

Haven’s heart raced as she fled into the kitchen, leaning against the counter to take a few deep breaths Doreeted theher "You look worried," he said, grabbing a soda frohed, opening his drink as he leaned against the counter "Does it help to know they make h to eliminate her fears "Do you knohy they’re here?"

"Business, I guess Like I said, I don’t get involved" He took a drink, shaking his head "I do know the e"

"And the other?"

"His na out ere kids, but he’s no friend of mine now"

Footsteps approached an hour later as Haven cooked dinner, and the ered on her as she deliberately concentrated on the food, ignoring the crawling of her skin, hoping he’d go away after he sahat he came to see

He strolled toward her as she stirred the pasta The tension in her bodyh her when she felt his breath on her skin "You’re prettier than I expected you to be," he said, running the back of his fingers lightly down her exposed arether"

His hand ca hi struck her fro her into the stove Her hand sla pain rabbed her burned palainst the counter beside her, the serrated edge of a kitchen knife pressed to his neck

His voice was hard "Don’t touch my property, Squint"

Nunzio scowled at him "I hear you, Doc"

The blade of the knife ca the skin where Nunzio’s neck pulsated, his heart pounding Dr DeMarco took a step back, and Nunzio glared at Haven before stor fro as Dr DeMarco marched in her direction She recoiled fro, he snatched her hand and barked a few orders on how to care for her burn He turned then to leave the roo water "You’ll be eating dinner with us tonight, so be sure to set yourself a place at the table, too"

Car the black rental sedan parked out front The sight of it put hio alone

He heard Salvatore’s voice the lance in the kitchen beforehis way to the family room

Salvatore smiled as he entered "Ah, Principe!"

Carmine kissed the back of Salvatore’s hand when he held it out, fighting off a cringe If ever there was a custom that made his stomach turn, it was that one "Great to see you, Sal"

"You too, dear boy We were just talking about you"

"Good things?" Car s, then"

Vincent stood, shaking his head as the others laughed "If you’ll excuse us, I need to speak with my son"

Sal waved them away, and the color drained from Carmine’s face at his father’s rattled expression

16

Carmine slu to act nonchalant while inside anarchy reigned He druers on the arm of the chair as Vincent took a seat at his desk with his laptop "Do you like the number thirteen, Carmine?"

Carmine’s brow furrowed at the question "Uh, it’s just a number"