Page 93 of Volatile Vice

I’m not sure what else to say. I could tell her what a wonderful woman her daughter is, but she already knows that. What will it do to this poor woman when she finds out her husband may not be the pillar of society that the state of Texas seems to think he is?

But I can’t concern myself with Mrs. Bellamy’s feelings.

I need to make sure Raven is safe. That is, after all, why I told her we can’t be together.

“Is this anything I can help you with?”

“I really do need to speak to your husband, if that can be arranged.”

She looks out a nearby window onto the sprawling Bellamy property. “I’m expecting him back any minute. He went out to talk to a couple of the foremen this morning. But he’s always back in time for lunch.”

“All right. Thank you.” I eye the room and head toward the most comfortable-looking couch. “I’ll just have a seat here and wait for him.”

“Don’t be silly. You’ll join us for lunch, of course.” She turns back to Lucy. “Set another place in the kitchen, please.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“There’s no imposition.” She lays a delicate hand on my shoulder. “Please, join us.”

“All right. I’ll just sit here until you’re ready.”

She nods. “Lucy will come get you when lunch is served.”

“Thank you again.”

I sit down on the sofa in the elegant living room. A mahogany grand piano sits in the corner. It makes me think of Belinda.

What am I going to do about her?

I probably should’ve gone home to change. God only knows what I look like. I’m sure there are bags under the bags in my eyes. I haven’t slept. And my suit is wrinkled.

Time seems to pass in a warp, and I’m pretty sure I slip somewhere into the gray area between consciousness and unconsciousness. I’m not sure whether seconds or hours have passed when Lucy comes in.

“Mr. Gallo, lunch is served.”

“Thank you.” I rise and follow her into the large gourmet kitchen, where three places are set.

“Mr. Bellamy is just washing up. He’ll be here in a moment.”

“Please, take the seat next to me,” Mrs. Bellamy says. “It’s nothing fancy today, I’m afraid. I hope you like hamburgers.”

I chuckle. “I wasn’t expecting lunch at all. And I love hamburgers. Thank you.”

“What would you like to drink, Mr. Gallo?” Lucy asks.

I smile. “Do you have Orange Crush?”

Mrs. Bellamy smiles back. “That’s Raven’s favorite drink. We always have Orange Crush.”

I stay standing until Mr. Bellamy arrives.

Austin Bellamy. I’ve seen pictures of him. But he’s much larger in person. Tall and broad, with graying blond hair and piercing blue eyes. Fair skin, like Raven. But the rest of her looks she got from her mother.

“Mr. Gallo.” He holds out his hand. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I need an audience with you,” I say.

“All right.” He clears his throat. “Let’s enjoy our lunch first, shall we?”

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