Page 52 of Diamond In The Rough

“I won’t tell you what you can and can’t do.” He sips, lazily at ease before the start of a new day. “But I can strongly advise you against making stupid mistakes. Ace isn’t someone you want watching over your shoulder. And she sure as fuck isn’t someone we want to be in bed with.”

“Who is Ace?” Christabelle Cannon, Cannon Daily heiress and information hound, saunters onto the patio. She may as well have a fucking pen and notebook in her hand. “Felix. Sweetheart. Who is this powerful, amazing woman you speak of?”

He sweeps his arm out when she’s close enough, mischievous as he drags her onto his lap and drapes her across his knee. Instantly, his lips find purchase against her neck. “I know when you’re asking because you’re jealous, Darling, and when you’re asking because you have a new headline in mind.” He nips at her neck and elicits a groan from the back of her throat. “Now I know the look in your eyes when you’re both jealous and writing a story. It’s an interesting combination.”

“I’m just curious!” She presses her hand to his shoulder. Almost as though to shove him away. But I see no pushing. I see no fight. “I’m allowed to ask questions. And you say she knows Michelle Mancino?”

My phone trills, surprising me, when I’m pretty fucking sure I had it set to silent overnight. Ignoring the other two and freeing the device from my pocket, I bring it up and study the screen, frowning at the unknown number flashing back at me.

I could let it go to voicemail; I often do. But curiosity has me answering and bringing the device to my ear. “This is Micah.”

“Tell Ms. Cannon to stop talking about me.” Sophia—aka Ace—puts a bite in her tone, setting my temper on edge, and sending my eyes shooting across to an acutely attuned Felix.

He no longer nuzzles Christabelle’s neck. Flirting time is over. He watches me instead, and prepares for war.

“She’s part of the family now,” Soph concedes, “so I’m being cool about it and giving a warning. But there’s no way on this fucking earth she’s writing an article about my sister and walking away with both her kneecaps.”

My throat burns dry as I study a dangerously interested Christabelle. “How do you know what we’re talking about in the privacy of our own home?”

“Because I’m better than Harrison at everything. Actually,” she scoffs low on her breath, “I’m better than everyone. Tim and Archer acknowledge I have ears everywhere they go now. Don’t be an outlier and make this weird. What do you want?”

“With you?”

“I heard my name, Malone. But I’m kinda busy over here living my own life. Keep Cannon out of my business, and I won’t be forced to visit New York.”

“Where is your life, specifically?” Strolling to the table, I pull out an iron chair, the feet scraping against concrete tile, then I sit down. “Address? Town?”

She laughs. That’s it. A snicker that tells me everything I need to know. “Last chance to tell me what you want. Then I have significantly more important things to get back to.”

“Tiia Hale.” I glance away from Felix, his stare flashing when I speak her name. “She works for Jakeline Colby’s Antiques. She’s twenty something—late twenties, I’d guess. An alumna of Brown University. She mentioned having a brother and both parents, but I don’t have names. Mother is of Hawaiian descent. Father is Latino. Tiia was born and raised here. I also want you to run down her friend Roscoe. You’re gonna need to?—”

“I need to nothing.” Soph sits back in her chair, the creak of her movement my only clue. “That was a cute bio, Malone, but it seems you and Archer think I’m your P.I. for hire. That’s not how these things go.”

“But you’re?—”

“Good? Yes, yes I am. But I’m also busy, and fortunate enough to have already amassed my wealth, which means I don’t need the work. I help the folks I deem worthy. I’m not for sale.”

“But—”

“Call Harrison. You want a background check on some chick because you caught feelings? You’re jealous she has a boyfriend named Roscoe? Which, by the way, is a weird fucking name. Either way, it’s not my job. I have zero desire to help you. But I will stomp on your family if Cannon runs a story on my sister. Shut her down, or you can expect a personal visit from me.”

“Wait—”

She hangs up, cutting me off and leaving me with my brother and his fiancée staring at me in morbid interest.

Frustrated, I fist the phone and press my free hand to my face, squishing my cheeks and crushing my eyes closed. “She said if you run a story on Mancino, we’re all dead.” I lower my hands and meet Christabelle’s stare. “Mention Michelle Mancino in the Cannon Daily, and you’re toast.”

“You pissed her off!” Felix drops his head back and groans. “Dammit, Micah! I told you not to do that.”

“I didn’t make her my enemy. She listens to every fucking thing we say, and she heard Christabelle ask about the family.” I toss my phone to the table and startle the sleeping dog awake, so a single, furry brow lifts on his forehead.

“She said to shut it down, or she’s coming to fuck us up.” I look to Christabelle and glare. “I know you’re into pushing buttons, but I suggest this not be one of them. Soph isn’t someone you wanna test.”

Intrigued, she looks to Felix, who corroborates with a nod. “Don’t touch.” Then he brings his focus back to me. “She’s not running your check?”

“No. She told me to call Harrison. Who, by the way,” I pick up my phone again, “is not someone I’ve talked to her about. She listens to everything.”

“It’s kinda spooky,” Felix snorts. “She’s powerful and untouchable.”

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