Whatever I Want

Ben

As simple as that? The guy was one step down from being the Top Dog in the mafia. And judging by what he’d told me about my dad, he had been the Top Dog in the company for a long time. He had delusions of grandeur.

“Make me pay, by all means,” I said. “Take it all out on me, take everything I have. But let Mila go. She has nothing to do with this, and she doesn’t deserve it.”

“That’s the thing about life,” Victor said, turning with his back to the bar and leaning both elbows behind him. “It doesn’t matter who’s involved in this, there will always be collateral damage.”

“Like my stepmom? And Uncle Dean?”

Victor barked a laugh. “Uncle. Isn’t that cute? We all risk something by being involved with someone.”

I thought about Mila. She had risked a lot to be with me. Jerrod, and now her life.

“Sometimes, shit happens.”

“That’s bullshit,” I said. I was getting angry again. I’d just about had enough of Victor and his games. “Shit does happen, but you’re making it happen.”

“What can I say?