Page 64 of Sweet Deception

"Yes, sorry." I rush to unlock the door and open it for Joseph, then sag into the doorway. "Man, you scared the crap out of me. Come in."

Joseph frowns as he steps into the apartment, but doesn't go any farther. "How exactly did I scare you?"

Locking the door again, I set my backpack on the table. "Oh, I thought I heard something and looked out the peephole. I just wasn't expecting to actually find anyone." I will not tell him I was nervous about the neighbor. He'll take that directly to Luca. The guy didn't do anything. I think I'm just on edge with everything.

Joseph doesn't respond, but scans the apartment as if he's looking for someone to jump out from behind the couch, making me wonder if he's former law enforcement. His attention to his surroundings reminds me of my dad. "I'm going to pack a few things and then be right back. Feel free to help yourself to a drink or whatever." I wave toward the kitchen.

Jogging down the hall, I find a post it note on my bedroom door.

I missed you again. It seems we're never home at the same time anymore. How's everything going? Leave me a note and let me know all is well. Talia.

How thoughtful.

I rush to pack a few things then grab a post it note for her door. I scribble that everything is fine and plan to end it there, but then decide to ask her about the new guy in the building.

What are your thoughts on the new guy downstairs? He gives me weird vibes.

If anything, it'll make her pay more attention to him.

"Okay, Joseph. I'm ready."

Chapter twenty-seven

Luca

"Tell me you found him?" I slam the door closed behind me.

"I foundher," Rafael says.

"Her? Is it Lisa like we thought?" I round my desk as Rafael stands and moves out of my way.

"No, Lisa's clean. Remember when I said it had to be someone from the office? They are the only ones who have access to the records." Rafael sets a folder down in front of me and moves to sit by Gio.

"Donottell me it's Margaret. I won't believe it. She would be the first to tell me of any breach." I open the folder and look at the culprit's file.

"No, it's Betty, Margaret's assistant. Besides Margaret, she's the only one who has any access. As you can see in the folder, when I did a deep dive of the office employees, she came into a large sum of money six months ago."

"Do you want me to pick her up, boss?" Gio claps his hands and rubs them together in his excitement for a little fun.

I ignore Gio's question and look at Rafael. "Are you sure? Did you trace the money? We can't make a mistake on this. If we get the wrong person, that tips off the real culprit."

"I'm sure. Betty's an only child. Her parents died in a car accident when she was nineteen and she has no other blood family. Six months ago, she received aninheritance from a long-lost grandma that she swears she knew nothing about. When I followed the trail of the money, it came out of an untraceable LLC. The proof is in that folder."

I turn to Gio. "Go get her. You know where to take her."

"You got it, boss." Gio chuckles in glee as he heads out.

Taking the folder, I look at Rafael. "You're driving. I want to hear everything before Gio brings her in."

"What about Kylie?" Rafael doesn't move to follow.

I stop at the door and turn to him. "What about her?"

"Didn't you have plans with her tonight? We can hold Betty until tomorrow. I'm sure Gio and I can occupy her until then." Rafael sounds only too thrilled at the prospect.

"You can have your fun with Betty later. Kylie is just a fuck toy. She's available whenever I want. Besides, I'm already thinking about trading her in." I open the door and stare down at Rafael. "Don't worry, you and Gio can have your fun with her before I do."

As we head out, I give a chin lift to Frankie, unable to unclench my jaw in my anger. The plant will pay for this. The whole outfit will pay for this. If Rome doesn't make that happen, then I will.

---