Page 32 of Captivated

“Alright.”

Stefano can find anything on anyone. He just needs a crumb and he’ll find the whole fucking loaf of bread it broke off of – crumb by crumb.

I never asked if it bothers him to do this for us. We simply ask him to find someone, or dig into someone’s life, and he does it. He holds all the secrets in the family because he knows all of ours. There are the favors we ask of him that no one else knows about, and the info he can find on any of us that we haven’t told anyone.

He’s only allowed to use his skills on us if asked or if we’re in a life-or-death situation.

The phone line is quiet for a few minutes and I finish off the coffee I brought with me that’s now cold.

“Oh, shit,” Stefano says under his breath.

“What?” I demand, but he doesn’t say anything. “What did you find?” I ask, angrier this time.

He still doesn’t answer, and Alec shakes his head. “He’s in the zone. He probably doesn’t know that he said anything. Let him work and then he’ll tell us.”

“Shit,” he says again, and I slam my hand down on Alec’s desk.

“Stef, what the fuck did you find?”

“First, did you buy her a car?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“She sold a car today and deposited eighty-five grand into her account just after.”

“She got more than I thought she would. Although, she does have great negotiation skills, so I should’ve expected that.”

“You bought her a car and you’re not mad she sold it?” Alec looks confused. A look he doesn’t often wear.

“Yes, and yes. She said she sold her car last week which was my first indicator she needed quick cash. She wasn’t going to accept my help, and I knew she was mad at me enough to not accept anything I would offer her. Especially a car. I told her to do whatever she wanted with it, and I knew she’d sell it, thinking she was getting back at me for overstepping.”

“Jesus, man,” Alec scoffs.

“Don’t act like you didn’t do dumb shit to manipulate Tessa in the beginning.”

“True.” He’s not even sorry about it.

“I know her better than she realizes. I just don’t know the big things.”

“Well, you’re about to,” Stefano says through the phone.

~ Chapter 12 ~

Cassie

I’m in the middle of cooking dinner when my phone vibrates on the counter.

Nico:Are you free for dinner tonight?

Is he not back in New York yet?

Me:Not for you. I’m making dinner for myself now.

Nico:What are you making?

Me:Pesto gnocchi with tomatoes, spinach, and blackened chicken.

Nico:That sounds good.

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