With what I know about my future?
I strum the guitar.
I shake my head and decide to just sing.
To just let it all out.
I know Cullen is watching me.
I know Cullen can hear me.
Normally this would make me nervous.
Instead, I’m warm everywhere. I like that’s he watching me.
I sing.
I smile.
I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Chapter 52
Istop recording and glance over my shoulder.
Cullen playfully claps.
“Stop that,” I say.
“Jaci, you have talent.”
“Yeah. Look at me go.”
“I’m just saying, if you ever want more out of this, I can help. You know I own a nightclub. You know I have connections.”
My heart races a little.
I forgot all about that!
I turn and look at Cullen. “So you can do both? It’s not just all about the mafia life?”
Cullen laughs. “Don’t ever call itthe mafia life. It’s just life, love. Okay? The same as a person who wakes up at six, drives to the office, and works. The same as someone who preps food in a restaurant and then comes back later that night to cook it. The same as the person who builds a house. Okay?”
I nod. “Right. I just meant…”
“You’ll find the purpose,” Cullen says.
“It has to provide,” I say. I’m suddenly thinking deep. Connecting economics, crime, murder and accounting all in my head at once. Like a light has gone off. “Your club provides. A lot. Good and bad. Opportunity. So if I provide with my music…”
“Why don’t you just keep recording your song, Jaci?” Cullen asks. “It’s a great song so far.”
“I’m just making it up as I go along.”
“So keep making it up.” Cullen stands up. “Do it for me, love.”
I notice he doesn’t ask.
He tells me.