Page 73 of Vicious Little Games

“Nothing shady,” Alistair says. “Mostly it’s just cheating spouses, stolen property, missing persons, like your sister, Madison.” He winces and adds, “Sorry for blurting it out like that. It must be hard...”

“No, it’s okay,” I assure him since mentioning my older sister doesn’t come close to triggering me. She’s most likely out in the world living her best life with her newfound freedom. “You’ve been working on finding Madison for my father?”

“Yes, ever since the night she left. Along with every other PI in town.”

I can’t say I’m surprised that my father would go to such drastic measures in his search for a girl who doesn’t want to be found by him.

“And there are no new leads?”

Alistair shakes his head. “No. I’m certain your sister left the city in private transportation of some kind within days of sneaking out. The possibilities are endless since we don’t know if she left that night, or the next day. There’s no surveillance video of her after she left one of the kitchens in the Royal Palace.”

“Well, she couldn’t have just disappeared, right? I mean, she’s obviously still alive. Maybe she used a disguise?”

“That’s the belief since we haven’t…you know, found her body. Sorry.”

I nod and take a sip from my glass of water. “Missing people are nothing new in my life. My mother disappeared when I was a baby,” I admit.

His fingers stop drumming momentarily when he says, “I know. I’m sorry.”

If he apologizes one more time for anything I’m going to kick him in the shin. But his response was so quick I ignore his constant apologies to ask him, “How did you know about my mother?”

Giving me a small, sad smile, he says, “Your father hired every PI in town for that case too.”

“But that was twenty years ago. You were only what, five?”

“Seven. And you’re right, I wasn’t aware of the initial search, but Baker, my mentor, he had the case file when I went to work for him two years ago. It’s still open.”

“Still open? As in you’re still getting paid to look for my mother?”

He nods. “Charlotte Maye.” The sound of her name makes me feel like I’ve been dunked in a tub of ice-cold water. “The cash reward for her and Madison on top of the yearly retainer fee is enough to have all the PIs hoping to find new evidence. Not that the money is the only reason,” he quickly adds. “An innocent woman going missing is always taken seriously by private investigators.”

“There’s a reward for finding her?” I knew my father would likely offer every penny he has to find Madison, but for my mother? I thought he just moved on to Sophie’s mom and forgot all about her.

“Mr. Salvato is offering millions of dollars not only to find her but just for new evidence. There hasn’t been any in years, though. Again, I’m sorry.”

“Wow,” I murmur, unable to hide my surprise. I even forgive the PI for his millionth apology of the night.

“I could give you a copy of the file if you want,” he offers quietly.

“Seriously?”

“Sure. I don’t think your father would mind. But just in case, could we just keep it between us?”

“Yes, absolutely,” I assure him. “Thank you, Alistair.”

“You’re welcome, Cassandra.”

“It’s just Cass. Not Cassandra,” I tell him with a genuine smile.

While there may not be any explosive sex in our future, and probably not any wedding bells, it’s impossible not to like Alistair James.

I can see why Vanessa encouraged Daddy to pick him for my blind date. He’s a nice, decent man who would treat any woman like a queen.

But I just can’t see myself with anyone who doesn’t make me horny and homicidal all at the same time.

Maybe there’s something seriously wrong with me.

I blame my mobster father and missing mother for making me so fucked up that I don’t want a happily ever after like everyone else.

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