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The last tione over very well

Slowly, he walked over to the bar "Vodka, please"

The bartender raised an eyebrow "Do you have ID?"

Carmine hesitated What the fuck? "You know ht," the bartender said, not sounding ionna give me a shot?"

"Sure," the man said "Just as soon as you show me some ID"

Car with hed "Look, I feel for you, but you know your uncleI ain’t losing my life just so you can drink He said you were cut off permanently"

"This is fucked up," Car to soothe his frazzled nerves before he had to face Corrado "Where is my uncle, anyway? He told me to meet him here"

"He’s in his office," the bartender said,toward the hallway "You knohich one it is"

Frustrated, Carmine pushed away from the bar and slowly made his way to the back He knocked on the door and waited The last thing he wanted was another fight with Corrado

"It’s open," Corrado yelled

Carmine stepped inside Corrado sat in his leather chair, nonchalantly flipping through paperwork Not wanting to interrupt, Carmine wordlessly plopped down in a chair in front of his desk

Corrado glanced up at him and stilled his movements "Did I tell you to sit?"

"Uh, no"

"Then I think a ence can conclude you should still be standing You’re by no enius, but even a two year old can follow simple commands"

Carhtly pressed his lips together, fighting hard not to respond to the insult He should be used to it by now, but his teot the best of him

He stood back up

"Now you can sit"

Motherfucker

Carers on the arhts in the rooht and uncomfortable His heart hammered in his chest as he waited for Corrado to tell hiered on Corrado returned to his paperwork, ignoring his presence

Nearly twenty ly uncoain "Are you on so, Car defensively "I haven’t Not since"

"And you better not," Corrado said "It’s unacceptable Disrespectful I’ve put a bullet in , Carmine slouched in the chair as his uncle went on and on, the same shit he had heard more than a dozen times the past feeeks He knew it all--in fact, he knew it before the incident even happened--and he was getting tired of constantly being berated for his ht, the afteret

His ing shattered his train of thought Corrado ilanced at it, his eyes darting straight to hile word, I’ll , suddenly too terrified to reply

"I mean it," Corrado warned "Don’t even breathe too loud"

Reaching for his phone, Corrado answered it as he brought it to his ear "Hello, Haven"

And just like that, the air flew fros Corrado narrowed his eyes at hi breath, but he couldn’t help it The roo

He wanted to puke He wanted to cry He wanted to sucker punch his uncle and snatch the fucking phone from him just to hear her voice oneHehis ears in hopes to hear soain

"I just called to tell you I’d be away for a while," Corrado said "It’s nothing to be concerned about, but I may be out of touch for a few months"

Corrado was silent as he listened to her response He pulled his phone fro it on his desk as he pressed a button on the screen Car up, until he heard her sigh through the line It was subtle, barely inaudible, but it was there Speakerphone

"How’s school?" Corrado asked, sounding disinterested, his eyes glued to Carood," Haven replied "The new sened up for reat" Corrado tapped his fingers against the desk "I hope you’re enjoying yourself andfriends"

"I alad you’re well Take care of yourself"

"You, too, sir"

Carmine closed his eyes as his uncle pushed another button, this ti the call They sat in silence for ato be around to keep an eye on you, Carht"

"Where are you going?"