Page 30 of Ruthless King

And I tell him the truth. “It was enlightening.”

“How?”

I don’t tell him that. Enzo can’t force me to speak when I don’t want to.

Beatrice showed me clearly I’m on my own. She helped with the combination, which is great, but I’m the one who’ll have to risk everything getting into Andrew’s briefcase.

And I think, deep down, a part of me is terrified I’ll find something I don’t want to see.

The reality is—I don’t want Nico to be my father’s murderer.

Chapter

Six

AURORA

Ihave to wait a few more days before Andrew comes over again for dinner, and during that time, I itched for answers. I kept my distance from Nico, lest he figure something was off with me.

But now that Andrew is coming over, I’ll hopefully get the answers I’m looking for.

“Aurora,” Andrew says stiffly, taking his seat at the dining table.

“Hello,” I reply kindly. I won’t give Andrew anything to use on me. I already fainted in front of him, which I’m sure made him wonder about me. I can’t slip up again, and I can’t let him get under my skin.

He’s looking into me, and Nico gave him permission. I’m alone in this house, and I need to remember that.

“Let’s dig in,” Nico says, sitting all the way on the other end of the table. A part of me wishes he were right next to me. I’ve found myself liking Nico more and more over the past week. Butthen I remind myself— he’s still a stranger. I can’t like him. I can’t care for him.

If I get into Andrew’s briefcase tonight and find out that Nico murdered my father, then I definitely cannot care for him. I’ll have to do my duty and kill him.

Thankfully, Nico and Andrew talk about work, so I don’t have to pretend to be nice to Andrew. I do pay attention in case either of them slips up and says something about my father, but neither does. Of course not. Nico and Andrew are smart men. They wouldn’t admit to a crime in front of me, not when I’m still a stranger to them.

I can feel Enzo watching me. God, I wish I could slap him and get him to stop. He’s making it so much harder to find out information on Nico when he’s watching my every step.

When Andrew arrived tonight, I saw the briefcase in his hands. It’s resting in the foyer at this very moment. I need to get to it before Andrew or Enzo spot me. I tried once before. I’ll have to do it again.

“Aurora has been lovely,” Nico says, drawing me out of my head. “She knows when to give me space and when to be there.”

Andrew gives me a condescending look. “She sounds perfect.”

I smile tightly back at him and don’t say a word. If I don’t speak, then nothing can be used against me.

“Tell me, Aurora,” Andrew says, “how have you been finding married life with Nico?”

“Nico is … kind,” I answer honestly.

“You sound surprised,” Nico teases, making me blush.

“I just wasn’t sure,” I admit. “But it’s been a pleasant surprise.”

Nico raises his glass to me. “Thank you. I do like surprising people.” He takes a sip of his wine, never taking his eyes off me. Goosebumps break out on my skin. Despite being unsure ofNico, I can’t deny he makes me feel … things. Things I shouldn’t be feeling for the man who possibly killed my father.

“That’s good,” Andrew says, not sounding like it’s “good” at all. “So, Nico, tell me about …” He goes on to discuss more work that’s vague and doesn’t make any sense to me. I try to listen, but it all sounds like gibberish.

Now is my time.

I excuse myself from the table and take my plate into the kitchen. As usual, Enzo follows.

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