Temporary Fix | 18+

32

The first thing that fell out the folder when I turned the package upside down was a small business card. The card was matte black with a gold logo and the name Victor Brandt printed underneath the words 'Attorney at Law'. I flipped the card and met with both a phone number along with an email under the contact information.

I stuck the card into my purse, making a mental note to call before I continued looking through the folder.

The next thing, I pulled out was what seemed to be some papers stapled together and when I fully removed it from the yellow package, my breath hitched in my throat. The first thing that caught my eye was the photo of Niccolò in the top left corner and as I continued reading down the page, I realized it was an entire file on him.

I read through the notes, realizing there was nothing much on his mother but there was key information on a Vito Capello. The blurred image printed on the paper couldn't hide the sharp jawline and haunting eyes that held an uncanny resemblance to Niccolo. Without question, I knew it was his father. My fingers fumbled with the air conditioning in the car, turning it down to get a bit more comfy in my seat. The sunhad gone down and i was still in the arking lot determined t soak up everything i could before facing niccolo once again.

Maybe finally knowing a portion of the truth would help knock some sense into me while I was around the man.

I smiled despite the information I was reading when I saw what the billion-dollar company his father owned was named. Capello Ink. The company he took over once his father died. Once he killed him. My smile fell.

Flipping through more pages led me to information on myself. It was the information I'd been looking for. The confirmation Jaz explained I needed. Our family's connection with the Cappellos, with the Chekovs, and when words typed in black ink started talking about the Spanish mafia, I knew I'd read enough for the day.

The next page was the icing on the cake. I was seeing a satellite image of a piece of land. It was highlighted, the center portion bringing the east and the west together, across the water. What followed the image is what puzzled me. The copy of the land ownership agreement, showed confusingly, that somehow I owned the area highlighted area- which made no sense at all. I didn't need a realtor to tell me that the amount of land covered in the pictures was worth billions.

I dropped the packet, turning the folder upside down and only a thumb drive fell onto my lap. I sighed, eager, but nervous, to see what was on the drive.

I stuffed both the thumb drive and the business card into the side pocket of my purse before sitting back.

"What a mess." I looked over to my passenger seat taking in the splay of papers on the seat. I knew I had to read everything else that was left and I had to find out what was on the drive. Both of which I felt I needed a glass of wine to do.

My phone pinged and seeing Nico's name brought on a mixed wave of emotions.

Nico: it's been 12 hours since you've been gone.

Quinn: should I be concerned you're keeping track of the time?

Nico: of course not. Distance only makes my cock grow fonder.

Unable to help myself, I let out a laugh into the empty car. "Crazy asshole."

Quinn: well I'm on my way, so we'll just have to see about that.

Nico: I do love a good challenge, shortcake.

My smile stretched to a grin at the stupid nickname and I quickly packed everything back in my glove compartment before leaving the parking lot for the last time.