Page 115 of Morally Corrupt

I throw my hands up in exasperation, and Vlad chuckles.

"I'd do as she says. She can be exceedingly stubborn. But do keep her from drugs." I shake my head in resignation, not that I was planning on putting too much resistance anyway.

"One condition, though," I add, needing to set some boundaries.

"What?" Basks, looking at me all innocent. Sure…

"No killing. No killing Jimenez, or any other man." Now, she pouts.

"Why? AtleastJimenez," she pleads.

"No. I didn't take Theo's identity and got so far in my career for nothing. I want to see Jimenez prosecuted to the full extent of the law for his wrongdoings. It's something I promised myself when this all started."

Bianca rolls her eyes at me as if this all seems too much for her, but she eventually relents.

"Fine. No killing." She sighs and looks so dejected, as if I just took away her favorite toy.

Right around then, Bianca's phone rings, and she mouths that it's Enzo again.

"Yes? So fast… Oh, I didn't realize you could find that out so fast… No, I really don't know… Thank you for this update… Yes, tell them to forward me the details… I'll see you at the funeral."

Sighing in a bored manner, Bianca relates what Enzo told her, "Apparently, preliminary results show cyanide poisoning. They found vast amounts in his mouth, so they're suspecting a suicide pill."

"So, that was the noise we heard in the audio…" I muse aloud.

"Even in death, Martin simply has to have the last word." Bianca sounds disappointed.

"Now what?" Vlad suddenly asks, and Bianca and I share a look.

"We have a funeral to plan. Yay," Bianca replies with fake enthusiasm before stomping her foot in frustration.

"Do you know what this means? I have to fucking pretend to be sad that the old man is gone. Fuuuuck! I need to buy eye drops."

"I think you're not the only one who's going to attempt to shed fake crocodile tears." I've known Martin close to ten years, and he's never struck me as the type to inspire that sort of emotion in a person.

42

BIANCA

Adrian is right. I'm definitely not the only one crying my eyes out.

At this point, I've already used up two bottles of eye drops. Adrian is holding onto my arm with a stern look on his face as I hunch over the coffin, sobbing at least audibly if not visually. But I'm not the only one putting on a show. On the other side of the coffin, Allegra is wailing like a banshee. Somehow, I doubt her love for my father had been that strong.

Enzo is sitting next to the row of chairs. The ceremony just ended, and they're ready to lower the coffin into the ground. Finally, I'd be rid of the old man forever. I have to mentally tell myself to build up the patience to withstand this display.

I'm surprised Adrian hasn't tried to dissuade me from going this far, but even he knows that appearances have to be kept.

We invite everyone back to the house. I'm thankful, though, that Adrian is doing most of the entertaining, and I can take a break. Fake crying does take a toll on you.

Of course, Allegra seems to get the memo as well when she passes out in the drawing room. I have to wonder if this is part of the act, or she's too worn out from the crying. Enzo is currently picking her up from the floor, none too pleased to be put into this position, and deposits her on one of the sofas.

"She took it pretty rough, didn't she?" I ask sarcastically after he leaves her and heads to the refreshment table.

"She's been hysterical for days."

"How long were they together?"

"That I know of? A few months." He pours himself a glass of wine and casually leans against the wall. From the corner of my eye, I see Adrian talking to some old men. He catches my eye and glares at me for some reason.

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