Page 126 of House of Lies

I stiffen when he prods a finger into my pec.

“It was Cordelia!”

I glance over at Myles, who sighs and runs a hand over his face. Smith is staring at Rich with narrowed eyes, and doesn’t even bother to make eye contact with me when I look over at him.

Firmly removing Rich’s finger, I let out a slow breath. “I thought you went to rehab.”

He shakes his head, eyes unnaturally bright. Jesus, how much coke has he had tonight?

“The opal. I recognized it. Always liked opals. All those colors.”

Christ, I want to punch this guy. But that’s not exactly a new, or a unique experience. Myles gave him the scar on his face.

Smith walks up, grabs Rich’s shirt, and tugs the man to face him. “Are you talking about Cassidy’s necklace?”

The black opal. I never even got around to telling her about it after she asked me what it was in the library. Fuck, that feels like centuries ago.

“Yes. Yes! I’ve seen it before.” Rich drops his eyes, shakes his head. “Not the necklace. The earrings.”

“She wasn’t wearing any earrings,” I say calmly, quietly. Like anything louder would shatter the fragile chrysalis containing my reality.

“Exactly!” Rich snaps his fingers again. Smith grabs his hand like he wants to snap those fingers, too. In half. “Because Cordelia was wearing them.”

I stare at Smith. “What the hell is he talking about?”

“Where’d she get them, Rich?” Smith asks, and it’s probably the first time I’ve ever heard him sounding rattled before.

Rich grimaces. “Wedding present from her husband. He bought them from Angelo.”

Smith shakes his head as he turns to look at me. “We have a problem. A big fucking problem.”

Chapter 51

Cassidy

I jump when Angelo brushes my arm, and turn to accept the cup of coffee he hands me with a tight smile. He cracks open a beer and comes to lean against the railing I’d been staring over.

Of course I considered going back to Ethan’s penthouse and waiting for him there. Asking him to call Angelo and arrange a meeting.

But what if he made up some excuse not to bring me? What if he lied to me again?

Nothing makes sense anymore. My emotions are all over the fucking place, and I wish I could blame it on my hormones, but the truth is, I’m scared.

Absolutely fucking terrified.

Not because of Angelo. I had to deal with inappropriate men daily, back when I worked at the diner. They’d call me sweetheart, or angel, or baby face, and squeeze my ass.

And not even tip me afterwards.

No…I’m terrified because I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I was a dusty snow globe, abandoned on the top shelf of a display cabinet before Ethan came along and shook me.

Only to find out he’s as duplicitous and controlling as the rest of them.

I won’t stand idly by while he tells me how I should feel about things. While he dictates what’s real and what’s not. I gave him my trust, only to question everything about him when the truth about his life came out into the open.

“Sure you don’t want something stronger?” Angelo asks, taking a pointed sip from his beer.

I hadn’t even expected Angelo to answer when I called his cell. If he hadn’t told me he was still at his office, I wouldn’t have met with him. But when the cab stopped outside his office, and I saw all the people through their brightly lit office windows, some working, some socializing, I took the plunge.

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