Page 4 of Unlawful Lies

“If your father is planning on poaching on our territory, then that makes you my business. You and everything else that falls under his family name. It’s a matter of honor.”

Her hand scalds where she touched.

“It seems to me that’s something for you to discuss with your own daddy.” She sniffs delicately. “Maybe you would have been better served staying inside rather than following me.” She snaps her fingers together. “Come on, then, since you’d rather sniff at my heels than work on your business. We’ll take a walk.”

She leads the way deeper into the garden, and I linger near the rosebush, staring at several unopened buds. I’ve got a gut feeling Nicola Salvatore will be a thorn in our side, just like her father with his secrets and his fat purse.

Unless I’m willing to do something about it. And the best thing to do is get her on her back underneath me, with her legs open, and remind her who we’re supposed to be.

But I still follow her.

Nicola

Ireally don’t want to like Edward Balestra.

It’s a matter of principle.

For one thing, he is the most arrogant son of a bitch I have ever met in my life. Worse than his father, who likes to walk with his nose permanently bent north.

As if everyone and everything else in his life is a stepping stone toward the heights of heaven.

Edward is the oldest son, and of course, he is primed to take over the business once his father either dies or hands over the reins.

Judging by what I’ve already seen of them, there will be no easy handoff, which leaves only death, and whether Edward wonders about that day is unclear to me.

A big ego and a bigger bank account make for a troubled young man who believes the world owes him.

From what I’ve seen and heard, I’m not wrong.

The only thing I know for certain is the heavy, heady sensation of his eyes on me whenever I enter the office for the meetings, dangled around as a distraction. For the father or the son, it doesn’t matter to Daddy.

My footsteps make no sound over the soft moss.

Balestra Senior never makes eye contact. The son, however, gives me all the attention Arden hopes for and I secretly enjoy.

I don’t want to feel anything for Edward besides disdain. He’s dark, and broody, and grumpy. My enemy. You’re supposed to hate your enemy with every fiber of your being, right?

That is what all the experts say on the subject. It’s either hatred or forgiveness, and I’ve purposely kept from learning anything about Edward, so there will be nothing to forgive him for. His dark heart is his own business and whatever reckonings will commence on his end, it’s not for me to say.

“Well?” I call back. “Are you coming?”

A low growl answers me.

Rather than wait for him to catch up, I increase my own speed, heading down trails I’ve memorized since childhood.

Mother’s garden, her territory, and the flowers are more her family than either one of her kids. It’s fine with me. I know how to grow and adapt to what I need to be. For my brother Scott?

Not so much.

“Where are you going, little bunny?” Edward teases behind me. “Think you can try to lose me in your warren of flowers out here?”

Or maybe I’ve done my best not to get too close to the Italian lothario who will no doubt take what he wants if given even the smallest amount of encouragement because I sense it.

Unfortunately, it’s a hard line to straddle when your father wants you closer.

I pause only long enough to check from the corner of my eye that Edward is actually following me into the garden before I start walking again.

Daddy wants me to infiltrate Edward’s organization to gather entail. Which is an idea I agree with to a certain extent, but not when it is unspoken but known that infiltration will be possible by a single means.

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