Page 22 of Victorious Vice

Dessert turns out to be caramelized flan, but I can’t taste it. I force it down into my stomach, which feels like it’s cramping around every bite.

I stay expressionless.

But inside, my mind is racing. Not only about who the hell is buried under that barn. Who took Eagle Bellamy’s bullet. But also about Raven’s father, Austin Bellamy.

What is the connection?

I make it through the meal, hyperaware of Vega’s eyes on me at all times.

I remember his words, long ago, at that meeting a few months before my eighteenth birthday.

Remember. Pride comes before a fall.

I thought nothing of it at the time. I was seventeen, and I thought I had the world by the balls. I hadn’t yet seen what Mario was capable of doing to me. I was young and arrogant.

Full of pride.

Was Vega warning me about something? About what Mario would eventually do to me when I turned eighteen?

The conversation between Agudelo and Vega buzzes around me like flies I want to swat.

Until—

“HowisMario?” Vega asks me.

I swallow down a bite of flan. “His health is good. Thank you for asking.”

“He’s got to be in his eighties by now.”

“He is.” I nod.

“He must be part feline,” Vega says. “That one has nine lives.”

“The same could be said for you,” I reply.

My words earn me another sly reptilian smile.

Once the dessert plates are clear, Agudelo rises. “That ends our lunch, gentlemen. As I have meetings tonight, I won’t see any of you for dinner, but I’d like to continue this conversation tomorrow. Lunch again, I think.”

“Of course.”

I rise and leave the dining room, where Elmo waits outside.

“Will you be returning to your room, sir?” Morehouse asks.

I look at Elmo, who cocks his head at me. “No. My bodyguard and I would like to see some sites.”

“Of course,” Morehouse says. “I’ll instruct the driver to take you around.”

“That’s kind of you,” I say, “but we’ve already arranged for our own car and driver.”

Morehouse raises his eyebrows slightly. “Oh?”

“Yes, I had Elmo arrange it. But thank you very much for the offer. Your generosity is noted.”

I head back to my room and change out of my suit into jeans and a button-down. Then I knock on Elmo’s door, which is adjoining to mine.

“Yes, sir?” he says, opening it.

---