Page 9 of Devious Lies

So, when Nico told me to get my law degree, I did. He’s not college educated, but he’s the most cunning motherfucker I ever met.

Over the years, we’ve established the Vipers as the most feared fucking organization on the East Coast.

And now that we’re pushing legit, well, it’s only gotten more interesting.

Every meeting with businessmen, politicians, and society assholes is like a chess match. But I’m good at playing chess, so I am always prepared.

It’s all about anticipating your opponent’s next move.

Life is like that, too.

Take my obsession with Maria, for example.

I’ve watched her watching Nico, and I’ve watched him ignore her. I’ve witnessed her reaction to Anna from day one. That’s Nico’s woman.

Naturally, I wait for Maria’s next play. Beautiful woman like her, she’s got to have a move or two.

But as the weeks pass, she doesn’t vamp him like I expect her to. In fact, she’s rather graceful about his rejection.

Interesting.

Myself? I don’t take rejection well. Maybe it’s because of abandonment issues from my father leaving.

I don’t know. I’m not a psychiatrist.

I am sure there’s a whole slew of shit therapists would have a field day with if I ever went for counseling.

But I won’t. I can’t. All my mess is what makes me the perfect man for this job.

Anyway, it’s probably why I have yet to approach her. My aversion to rejection.

But still, I watch her. I can’t seem to make myself stop. She’s an enigma.

A mystery.

And she’s piqued my curiosity.

It’s not even late yet and I have a shit ton of work to do in my office, but I’m at the Vipers’ Den instead.

Something about Maria won’t allow me to do anything else.

It’s like I’m waiting for something. For some signal or sign from the universe that will rouse the viper in my soul from his dark cave, wake him from his slumber.

I watch Anna walk in, her round belly showing in the little dress she has on. She’s with her best friend Giselle, the same woman who a few weeks ago tossed a full pint of beer into my man Angel’s face.

They sit in the king’s booth, and I grin. It still awes me that Nico has a wife and a baby on the way. I never figured him for a family man, but I guess I was wrong.

It makes me wonder.

It makes me hope.

I clear my throat and adjust the cameras back to the object of my obsession.

Maria looks thoughtful. She isn’t smiling, and that’s unlike her. I want to ask her what’s wrong, offer to help.

But that’s not something I should do.

From the beginning, her eyes have been on Nico, and now that he’s decidedly unavailable, it’s the perfect time, really.

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