Page 75 of Twisted Truths

I pull a one-hundred-dollar bill from my money clip and slide it across the bar top. “Just a water.”

Her eyebrows rise, but she slides the bill into her back pocket. “Water it is.” She fills one of the glasses with water and slides it over before coming to stand in front of me, leaning on the bar with her chin on her hand. “I’m assuming you’re looking for a little more than just water.”

Smart woman.

I pull my phone from my suit pocket and pull up a picture of Ariana from the Bahamas. Setting the phone on the bar, I turn it to face her and slide it closer. “Do you recognize this woman?”

Her gaze flits down to take a look. “Yeah, she’s usually in here every Saturday. Don’t know her name though.”

“That’s fine, I don’t need it.” I click the button on the side of my phone, making Ariana’s picture disappear—which is for the best. I feel like the worst guy imaginable, doubting and questioning the woman I love. The only thing that could make it worse would be her face looking up at me while I did it.

“What do you want to know then?”

Someone else walks into the bar and sits at one of the tables, and she lifts her finger to tell them to give her a minute.

“Who’s she usually here with?” I ask.

“Her brother. At least that’s what they say. I think it’s the truth, though, because he always flirts with me in front of her, and she never seems bothered by it.”

I nod. “Anything stand out about their interactions?”

She presses her lips together and looks at the ceiling before flicking her gaze back to mine. “Not really. They both order beer, don’t cause any trouble. Just sit at that table and talk for a while.” She gestures at one of the tables.

I’m not sure whether I’m relieved or not. Her words haven’t helped me get any closer to the truth.

“Okay, thanks for your help. I’ll let you get back to work.” I push up off the bar stool and stand.

“Oh, wait.”

I still as dread crawls up my spine like a scorpion.

“There was this one time I was out back smoking a cigarette when they were leaving. He was parked at the back of the parking lot, so I could see them. She went to his car with him, which I thought was weird because I’d seen her get picked up by a driver the other times she’d been here.”

My eyebrows raise to my hairline. “And…”

“She passed him something.” She shrugs. “Not sure what exactly. Maybe drugs? I dunno, he just stashed it in his car really quick. Just the way they did it felt kind of shady to me, like a drug deal, you know? They didn’t seem like druggies to me, but after I saw that, I wondered.”

A pit forms in my stomach. Could Ariana have been passing her brother something she stole from the manor? Or am I blind to a drug problem?

“Thanks for the info.” My voice is reed-thin, and I turn to exit the bar in a daze.

No, this can’t be true. Ariana hasn’t been playing me for months so she could steal from me.

But deep down, doubt rears its ugly head. I always felt Ariana would be taken from me, but maybe I had it reversed, and she’s been taking from me.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

ARIANA

With Obsidian out of the house, I finally have the opportunity to confront Uma.

What game is she playing? During dinner last night, she was perfectly pleasant, giving no indication as to what or who she truly is. But I was nearly frozen in fear the whole time that she’d blurt out that she knew me, knew I’d been stealing from the Vosses. The entire dream of a life here with Obsidian will crumble.

I can’t take the tension anymore.

Can’t take the waiting for the ticking bomb to explode.

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