Page 57 of Release You

“Oh yeah.” Dom rubbed his hands together. “What have you got?”

“I recently found my dad’s will. Do you know anyone who can help contest a counterfeit will?”

“Let me guess.” He met my gaze. “You make a move, and your uncle puts another hit on you. With a professional this time.”

I nodded. “It’s a card I can’t play just yet. Not with Mom missing and Lisa still in jail.”

“But you can’t let the asshole keep what’s yours?” Dom had a real knack for seeing the big picture. His eyes turned hard with determination as if he could see, play by play, what would happen if I sued my uncle. “If you trust me with it, I can take a look, come up with a plan.”

“You live for this shit, don’t you?” Derek chuckled, shaking his head.

“You know I do, man. Can’t walk away from a good fight.” Dom shrugged.

“Give me a second. I’ll get the papers.”

On my way up the stairs, I slanted a glance over my shoulder toward Nikki. She appeared engrossed in her conversation with Valentina. I knew better than to believe the act. Sooner or later, I’d have to tell her about the will. For now, I wanted to enjoy this moment with her—when I knew she wanted me for me, and not my family’s money. Trusting her would be easier if she wasn’t looking for her next con in every goddamn corner.

CHAPTER 19

Trust Me. I’m a Thief

Nikki

Valentina sat across from me, with her big innocent brown eyes, pouty lips, and rosy cheeks. She sipped her wine and glanced down at her hands. I made her uncomfortable. She really didn’t know how beautiful she was, didn’t understand how or why Derek was putty in her hands.

“I heard you’re getting married. Congratulations,” I said in Spanish.

When we were little, Mom and Dad had thought it would confuse Lisa and me if they taught us two languages at the same time. They’d chosen English over Portuguese. Their mistake had been assuming they’d have time to teach us a second language.

I didn’t know a lick of Portuguese as a result, but every time I heard someone speak it, the hole in my chest got bigger. I picked up Spanish from boyfriend number two back in college. That sweet man paid for two whole semesters before I had to break up with him.

“Thank you.” Valentina relaxed her shoulders and offeredme a genuine smile. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. That’s why I wanted to see you. You left Tucson so suddenly. I never got to thank you.”

“No need to thank me.” I patted her hand. “I got you into that big mess to begin with. Believe me, I never meant to hurt you. I just really needed the money. I’m glad it worked out for you two.”

To my right, Henry raced up the stairs. I sat on my hands so I wouldn’t start smashing things. So he could trust Dom but not me?

“Yeah, it sure did.” Valentina peeked over her shoulder to find Derek staring at her.

Smiling at her drink, she shook her head a few times. Something told me that even if I hadn’t helped them, these two would’ve found a way to stay together.

“He loves you. Look at him.” I giggled. “He can barely stand to be this far away from you. Let’s go join the boys and put him out of his misery.” I winked.

“Okay.” She let out a laugh that made Derek adjust his belt.

When Henry returned, he gave Dom a meaningful look. Dom shrugged and turned to me. “We have to talk.”

“Please. Finish your business with Henry first. He went through a lot of effort to find his father’s will.” I flashed Henry a smile. “I can wait.”

Henry’s face went blank as the vein on his temple pulsed against his skin. Biting his lower lip, he fished the dirty envelope out of his back pocket. I’d been waiting for him to tell me about what he found in Tessa’s room. Obviously, he didn’t think he could trust a thief.

Last night at the manor, I’d seen him hide something when he exited the tunnel. To throw him off, I’d rushed to his mom’s bed, and instead managed to sidetrack the both of us. I swallowed, putting away the image of Henry between my legs.

“Mom hid the original. The will my uncle destroyed and replaced with an earlier will was a fake,” he said when Dom took the paper from him.

“I’ll take a look and let you know.” Dom winked at me and stuffed the papers inside the pocket of his suit jacket.

“So what’s this thing you need to tell me?” I asked him.

---