Ruined Secrets - Page 63

In the center of the room, a man in his late fifties is sitting on a wooden chair. His shirt is wrinkled and there are specs of blood on it. Based on the bruises on his face and his swollen lip, he’s been roughed up a bit while waiting for me. The thief, Ipresume. The moment he sees me, he starts fidgeting in his chair as much as the ties around his hands and legs allow.

“Boss.” The man I don’t recognize nods, moves away from the wall, and stands next to the bookkeeper.

“What proof do you have that he’s guilty?” I ask, turning to Lorenzo.

“We found double books on his desk. According to them, he stole close to twenty grand last month.”

“You’re sure they weren’t planted?”

“They were in his handwriting,” Lorenzo says and crosses his arms. A small smile forms on his lips. “If you want, I can take care of the thief, Boss.”

Yeah, I’m sure he’d love that. I don’t need Isabella and Damian to tell me that Lorenzo isn’t happy with me becoming the head of the Family. I can see that quite well myself. He thinks he’s hiding it well, but I’ve been paying close attention to everyone around me, looking for subtle tells or double meanings. A man in my position can’t afford to miss anything because only one slip will be enough to initiate my downfall.

“Yes,” I say and take two steps until I’m standing behind the tied-up man. “You do that.”

The smile on Lorenzo’s face widens as he reaches inside his jacket for his gun. He likes the idea of me being reluctant to kill a man and letting him do the job instead. Especially in front of a foot soldier. I turn, wrap my right arm around the bookkeeper’s chin and place my left hand at the back of his head. One strong twist. The man’s neck snaps.

I unwrap my arms from the bookkeeper’s neck, then turn to face Lorenzo, who’s staring at me, obviously surprised. It wouldhave been easier to just shoot the guy, but Damian said this was supposed to be a statement.

“Make sure the body won’t be found,” I say and leave the room, feeling two sets of eyes boring into my back.

When I get inside my car, I dial Isabella, turn on the speakerphone, and start the engine.

I’ve just finished removing my makeup when my phone rings. Luca’s name flashes across the screen, and I hit the button to accept the call, putting it on loudspeaker.

“Where are you?” comes a clipped question from the other side.

“You’re in a nice mood,” I say as I toss the soiled wipes into the garbage. “Did something happen?”

“Seems like Lorenzo is playing games.”

“It was expected. What did he do?”

“I don’t want to talk about my underboss now. Where are you?”

“In our bedroom.”

“Take off your clothes.”

I put the cosmetics and face oil down on the dresser, remove my dress, then my underwear. “Done.”

“The bed. Lie down on your back.”

I smile, walk to the bed with the phone in my hand and lie down as instructed. “Okay. Now what?”

“Put your hand between your legs. You’re going to stay that way and tease yourself until I arrive.”

“And when will that be?”

“In twenty minutes. And Isabella . . .”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you dare come before I get there.”

What? “I’m not sure I can manage that, Luca.”

“Well, if I find out you came earlier than I allowed, we will start again, and this time, it will be an hour instead. Do you understand?”