“Yes, okay? I didn’t realize you were some frickin’ crime lord, super villain, godfather – whatever it is you are exactly – at the time, alright?” Micah knew exactly what Damon was: a goddamn mafia don. And regardless of the horrible things it said about his moral compass if he actually entertained the idea of continuing with their unorthodox charade, Micah was a fucking cop, and Damon had no idea.

The situation had disaster written all over it.

Micah tore himself from Damon’s grip. “I can’t believe I actually bought your ‘I’m involved in finances’ bullshit. Like investing in real estate can earn someone a bank account like yours, regardless of what sort of crazy inheritance your parents left you.”

“It’s not bullshit,” Damon immediately protested. “I am involved in real estate, and more legitimate businesses than illegitimate ones.”

“Of course, you are,” Micah shot back. “After all, you need a good front in case someone actually decides to investigate your ass like they did your father before he died. Let’s see, there was racketeering and possession of illegal weapons. According to Google, Anthony Romano was even brought in for questioning regarding multiple murders-”

“He was never convicted of anything,” Damon snapped, once again stepping into Micah’s space and taking him firmly by the chin, “and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak of things beyond your understanding.”

Micah ripped his face from Damon’s hands. “Beyond my understanding?” he repeated incredulously. “Believe me, I understand just fine. You invest in startups, like your friend’s Mexican restaurant, to hide the fact that other businesses you finance are a guise for criminal activity. I’m not fucking stupid, Damon, I can keep up.”

To Damon’s credit, he didn’t deny it, although judging by the way his fingers twitched at his side, he was seconds away from reaching out and trying to grab Micah again. “I never said you were stupid,” he said instead.

“You didn’t have to,” Micah shot back. “You treat me like some naïve idiot, like I can’t figure out that those ‘shipping operations’ you mentioned when we met” – Micah made sure to use finger quotes – “was actually just a fancy way of saying you smuggle illegal substances – most likely drugs – into the country. Go ahead, tell me I’m wrong.”

Damon said nothing.

“I just want to know what else you’re involved in. I mean, if you’re not above working with drug cartels, where is the line drawn? You act all high and mighty, turning your nose up at sex work, but who’s to say you’re not involved in worse shit, like human trafficking-”

“I would never,” Damon spat, suddenly crowding Micah up against his refrigerator. “People who victimize the most vulnerable members of society – women, children, the homeless – they are scum.”