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“Hi, Andy, I’ve got someone with me I need you to make a draw from the Cayman account” Vito turns to me “Andy is my accountant Tell me how much you need”

I hesitate It’s sweet that he wants to help, but when I tell hi to tell ingly, so makes me blurt out the truth “Seven hundred thousand,” Imyself for what comes next “Almost three hundred thousand this week, or she loses the house”

Vito doesn’t blink “Did you hear that, Andy?”

“Sure Seven hundred thousand dollars from the cash account No problem, consider it done Who shall I pay it to?”

“Pay it to Esme” A smile plays on Vito’s lips “I still don’t know your last name”

I hear my voice as if fro “Tremaine It’s Tremaine” My voice catches in“But don’tI don’t want the ive him the address of my mom’s house over the speakerphone

“Okay She’ll have the money by the end of today Is that all you needed, Vito?”

“Could you also look up the best facility in the country for physiotherapy anda patient as soon as possible? I’ll be paying for the treatment, as well as a rental close by for Esme’s mom And set up an account in her nao from there”

“Of course No probleet on it now”

There’s a click, and the line cuts off, and Vito and I are left alone again

“I can’t believe this is happening,” I mutter “Is this real?”

“Es to protect you, and I’ to look after your family But part of that deal means you need to tell me if there are ever any problems I can do whatever is in my power to fix them, but I need to knohat they are to do that You understand?”

I nod and wipe atelse”

“What, baby? Anything you need, just tell me”

Taking Vito’s hand, I look into his eyes and choke out a laugh through the tears “The cab driver is still waiting for me to pay him, and I don’t have any cash”

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