Page 72 of Wicked Truths

“Oh my God, you’re pregnant and don’t want Arturo and Joey finding out.”

I pull out a large pot from the lower cabinet directly next to the oven and place it on the stove. “What? No. Angelica focus.”

“Aww, that sucks. You would be a great mom.”

“I’m not even in a serious relationship at the moment.”

Except I kind of am, seeing as I’m wearing Rhett’s shirt and am in his apartment alone.

“Well, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a baby. Loads of women have babies without a man in their life.”

“But not a Marino woman.”

I cut up some tomatoes and add them to the pot.

“So, if you aren’t pregnant and you don’t need me in Savannah, what do you need help with?”

“Do you remember the guy I was sort of seeing last year?”

“Jax? Yeah. What did he do?”

“Long story short-”

She cuts me off. “Nuh-uh. No long story short bullshit. I want to hear it all.”

I add the rest of the ingredients and seasonings to the pot before saying, “Jax Brown isn’t his real name. It’s Rossi.”

“That son of a bitch. I’ll kill him.”

“That’s not necessary.”I’m pretty sure Rhett, Joey, and Dad are doing that right now.

“What did that bastard do?”

“He tried to kidnap me tonight. Rhett shot him, but I was still kidnapped by some of the Rossi henchmen.”

“Those fucking cunts.”

I chuckle as I stir the sauce. “That’s not really why I’m calling. Well, it is related.”

“Well, spit it out already.”

“Jax said Mom is still alive. He said she faked her death and has been living with his father ever since. I need you to snoop around and see if you can find out if he’s telling the truth or not, but be carefuland discreet. I don’t need anyone else to worry about.”

Worrying about Rhett, Mom, and the Rossis is more than enough for me right now. I can’t add feeling guilty to the list if Angelica gets hurt because of me.

“Oh my God, Frannie. I’m so sorry.”

I roll my eyes at her childish nickname. “So, will you do it? Will you see if she’s hanging around the Rossi’s?”

“For you? Anything. What do you want me to do if I find her?”

“Nothing. At least for now. I just need to know if Jax was telling the truth.”

“I won’t do or tell anyone, not even Dad or AJ. I’ll try to head over there in the morning in a disguise so they won’t notice me.”

“Thanks, but be careful. I owe you one.”

“The only thing you owe me is the juicy gossip that’s happened since you moved back to Savannah.”

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