Page 26 of Mine

I grunt. “What else?”

“She’s not married, and neither is Carlos. Which means she’s not his wife. And FYI, Carlos’s been married three times. His latest divorce was finalized last year. Oh, and he doesn’t have any kids.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Well, if he does, he didn’t claim any of them.”

“She’s his mistress, then.”

“Likely so. Also, she has some money.”

“How much?”

“Seventy-five thousand in a savings account, and almost two hundred fifty thousand in stocks.”

I can’t hide my surprise.

“I’m guessing playing the market is a hobby of hers, considering she’s a math whiz. But it’s weird. Aside from random exuberant shopping sprees, she lives lean and invests most of her money.”

“Surprising from someone who’s only twenty-seven.”

“I thought so too. Your twenties are when you’re supposed to make all sorts of bad decisions, especially financially.”

Frowning, I lean into the screen and scan the multiple hacking programs Cillian has open. “So, hang on, something’s not adding up. How much does she currently make as a financial analyst?”

“Bingo. That’s where things get weird. She only makes fifty-three thousand there, which she spends mainly on bills and groceries and stuff—her rent is astronomical. And the extra money doesn’t come from her family; they’re both dead and came from humble roots.” He points to the screen. “But look here. She gets random large deposits from the same bank account. Fifty thou here, thirty thou there. She got one for seventy-five grand a while back, almost two years ago.”

“Who from?”

“An offshore account connected to a fake business named Blum and Levy, Inc.”

“A shell account?”

“Yep. She’s definitely into something that’s not entirely legal.”

“That has Carlos written all over it.” I straighten and begin pacing.

“Yeah, I thought so too. It could be bribe money. He’s paying her to keep her mouth shut about their affair.”

“This still doesn’t explain why she’s so important to him. Why he’d let me go to spare her life.”

“Maybe he loves her.”

I snort. “Yeah, right.”

Cillian looks over his shoulder and studies me. “People kill for love, Astor. It’s a real thing, even though you haven’t experienced it.”

“Have you?” I ask incredulously.

He looks away, and I get the sense that there’s a story there. Though Cillian has been working for me for years, I’ve never asked about his personal life—and this reminds me what a shit friend I am. God, I hate myself.

“Anyway,” he says, steering away from the topic of love, “I agree with you that she’s probably his mistress, but I think he spared her life because he loves her. How could he not? She’s a hell of a catch. Smart and insanely gorgeous.”

“Oh, there’s a catch, trust me.”

“Want me to find it?” He grins, wiggling his eyebrows.

“No.” I respond far too quickly.

---