The Holy Ghost - M.E. Clayton Page 0,61

that Randy was dead.

I shot Robbie a quick text, letting her know Phoenix was home, and we were going to talk. I wasn’t stupid enough to put anything in text. Phoenix had told me I was going to get two new phones soon. One would be strictly for use between me, him, Luca, and Ciro, but the other could be used for everyday purposes. I knew I’d have to use the second phone carefully and, even then, I hadn’t made a barrage of friends while I lived in Cedar Creek, so there really wasn’t anyone to give my new number out to. There was Robbie, Mona, Teddy, and Lydia, all who worked at Brighton.

“I figured,” I replied from where I sat on the couch. “Is this how it’s going to be? Are you going to come home from work every day and just announce your kills?” He shot me a look designed to shut a person up.

It worked.

Phoenix took off his jacket, draped it over the back of the couch, and began loosening his tie. I sat silently as he took a seat next to me because I knew the man was about to put me in my place. But, honestly, he didn’t need to. It’s amazing how getting kidnapped can fix one’s vision.

“We need to talk,” he began, “but I’m thinking, maybe, I need to call your brother and Luca over for this. You-”

“Don’t,” I interrupted. “You don’t need to call them.”

Phoenix tilted his head a bit. “I don’t?”

I shook my head. “No, you don’t.”

His lips rolled in, no doubt trying to hold his tongue. After a few seconds, he gave me a small nod, allowing me to proceed.

It grated on my nerves.

For six years, I’ve been my own person and lived my own life, making my own decisions. And, now, I was obligated to someone who couldn’t be manipulated or controlled.

I was married to The Holy Ghost of Morgan City.

“It was unfair for you to expect me to acclimate to…this lifestyle in only a matter of days, Phoenix,” I began. “Even knowing who Luca was, I still spent my childhood being a girl on the outskirts of what you three did. And, as we got older, you guys still sheltered me. Sure, I knew what Luca and his family was about, but my days were filled with being young and carefree. Even after my parents died, Ciro did his best to make sure I still graduated from high school and went to college. Massimo was a great substitute parent, but I knew it was Ciro who did his best for me day in and day out.”

“Frankie, your brother doesn’t resent you.”

“I know that, Phoenix.” And I did. I knew my brother loved me. “The thing is, I never…lived the life you guys do now. The life you guys lived then. You guys kept that part of yourselves from me. And-”

“Goddamn it, Frankie,” he hissed. “How much longer are we going to have to apologize for that?”

“I’m not throwing it in your face, Phoenix!”

“Then what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to explain why I need time,” I clarified. “I was a clueless girl in college, making plans to live a normal, regular life. All the while, my brother and boyfriend were making plans to join the goddamn Mafia. You guys went behind my back and kept me in the dark. And because of that, I never got a taste for what you guys had to endure, for the kind of lifestyle you guys were accustomed to. And six years later, when I barely know any of you, I’m just supposed to automatically know my role?” I shook my head. “Come on, Phoenix. Give me a break here.”

Phoenix didn’t comment right away. I could tell he was absorbing everything I’ve just said. It was one of the things that hadn’t changed about him. Phoenix was a listener. He would always listen to me. Even if he didn’t end up agreeing with me, he always listened. It was only when he was angry did that trait disappear until times calmed. But he was listening to me now.

Finally, he said, “That’s fair.”

One brow shot up. “That’s it? That’s fair. That’s all you got?”

Phoenix smiled and my entire body went all gooey. A genuine smile from Phoenix Fiore was a dangerous thing. His dimples were deep, and he was just so damn gorgeous, it hurt to look at him sometimes. The girl in me really hated that he didn’t wear a wedding ring. Sure,