Page 72 of Deceitful Oath

“Nope, he would always rent a private room,” I say, trying to remember the details. “It was kind of weird because those rooms are usually for parties or large groups, but he came alone and rented the room for an hour or two.”

Rafael’s face darkens and his eyes burn like embers. Anger flashes across his features and I almost regret telling him. But if this Vince guy is double-crossing him, he needs to know.

“You never served him or saw what he did in there?”

“No, only Lisa had access to the VIP rooms.”

“Was Mancini at the club on the days Vince went?” he asks, information connecting in his mind. I could almost see the lightbulb above his head. Not wanting to sway his opinion more, I simply nod my head.

“That fucking traitor,” he growls, smashing his hand against the marble countertop. I jump in surprise, backing away. He notices my apprehension and takes a deep breath, trying to ground himself.

“I’m sorry, Luxy,” he says, his tone more even now. “I’m not mad at you and I don’t mean to scare you, but you know what this means?”

I nod again. “There’s one more thing, and I don’t know if it has anything to do with anything, but when you told me your father died recently and then I saw him here…”

Rafael’s head snaps up, his eyes blazing. “Tell me.”

“When I was working at Rocky’s,” I begin, nervously eyeing him. He forces his rigid body to relax and leans against the counter, nodding gently. “There was a day when an old man died. I think he had a heart attack, right at my table. It was shocking and extremely sad. Anyway, I panicked and rushed off to grab my phone to call 911…”

I trail off, noticing his features darkening again. His fingers drum on the marble, not in a nervous way, but in a decidedlyevilway. There’s no other word to describe it. Rafael is a ticking time bomb right now, and I’m lighting the wick.

“Go on,” he encourages me, his voice soft so as not to scare me. The look in his eyes terrifies me, but I continue.

“When I turned around, the man and his companions were going out the back door. I followed to help him but then Vince stopped me. He said he’d take care of it,” I finish, watching for signs of explosive rage.

Rafael seems oddly calm, drumming his fingers and staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. Meanwhile, I’m shaking like a leaf.

I don’t know much about the seedy underbelly of this city, but I know enough that I’m pretty sure Vince is in big trouble. Rafael notices my condition and softens, coming over to hug me.

“Thank you for telling me,” he whispers into my hair. “That was brave of you. And I won’t apply the phrasesnitches get stitchesto you…this time.”

“You’re joking, right?” I pull away quickly, gauging his emotions. He chuckles, kissing my forehead, and pulling me close again.

“Yes, Luxy, stop worrying. I would never, ever hurt you.”

“Do you think he’s working with the Mancinis? Is he double-crossing you? What does this mean for Vince?” The questions fall out of my mouth, blurring into each other, but Rafael’s answer is clear.

“It means he’s a dead man.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Rafael

My mind reels with the information Lux just handed me.

Even as I comfort and assure her that she’s done the right thing, frustration simmers beneath my skin. Rage coils in my belly, cold and hard, making me want to vomit.

Fucking Vince.I trusted him with everything. Every piece of information, every inside plan, was all his for the taking. Of course, he’s been working with Mancini. Of course, he killed my father and set Lux up to take the fall—the perfect scapegoat.

But why?The question echoes in my mind, driving me insane.

If he wanted to get rid of me and rise to power, he could have done it already. Back when my father died and I took over, he could have staged a coup. He’s older and more experienced, and the others trust and respect him.

It smells fishy, like there’s a piece I’m not seeing yet.I need to figure out what I’m missing here.

“You’re going to kill him?” she asks innocently, gazing up at me with those enormous eyes.

“I’m going to torture the fuck out of him first,” I spit out, unable to stop my anger from oozing out. She looks shocked for a moment and pulls away, clearly uncomfortable with my methods.

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