Page 40 of Coerced Queen

Anya

“Do you mind watching Claire for a couple of hours this afternoon?”I ask Livy when we arrive at the club on Wednesday morning.“I have a check-up with the ob-gyn.”

And an appointment with Elena.

“Nicole?”Livy shrugs out of her furry green coat, flashing a charming smile at the bouncer who takes it.“Why don’t Claire and I come with you?I like that girl.Nicole is smart and sassy.Plus, I love the way she dresses.”

I turn toward the stairs, carrying Claire, who’s wrapped up in warm blankets and a woolly hat with a big tassel, in one arm and my handbag over the other.Dante has gone ahead with her stroller, the diaper bag, and my laptop.

“I, um, have to drop in somewhere on my way,” I say.

“Hold on.”Livy takes my arm, stopping me.“I know that tone.You’re hiding something.”

I glance around to ensure no one is within earshot.“I’m meeting with Elena before.”

“What?”She reels, letting me go.“Why?”

“To help Saverio.”

Her brow pinches.“He won’t like it.”

“That’s why he can’t know.”

She purses her lips.“I’ll come with you.Dante can watch Claire.”

“Livy,” I protest.“That’s not a good idea.”

“I’ll bring my gun.What if you need protection?”

That makes me smile.“We’re meeting alone.”

“Ha.”Her expression is condescending.“Do you trust her?”

“No, but she hates her husband, and from what I’ve seen, he feels more or less the same about her.She believes Saverio is going to target her when he takes revenge.She’s scared.Otherwise, Rachele wouldn’t have shown up at the hospital to plead Elena’s case.She’ll come alone.”

Livy crosses her arms.“I’ll hang around in the background just in case.”

I know that obstinate look on her face.She won’t budge.

“Fine,” I say with a sigh.“But stay out of sight.”

Sticking a thumb and a forefinger between her lips, she whistles.“Hey, Dante.”

He appears on the gallery, leaning over the rail.“What’s up, Liv?”

“I’m driving Anya to her ob-gyn checkup this afternoon,” she calls up to him.“You’re watching Claire.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Dante salutes her before disappearing again.

Taking my arm, Livy pulls me toward the ladies’ room.

“So,” she says in a lowered voice.“What’s the plan?”

Elena sits at a table in the back of the coffee shop, wearing a camel-colored jacket and black blouse.Her dark hair is twisted into a bun at her nape.She looks polished and sophisticated except for her nails that are chewed so short they’re bleeding.

She looks up from the mug she frames between her hands when I approach.

---