Page 36 of The Killer Who Kept Me

Paulo had checked on me and said it was okay that I was there tonight. He’d be there as well if I ran into a problem, but he told me to sit as much as possible and that if my ankle started to swell, I should come upstairs to elevate it for a while. That also seemed like a good excuse to cut out if I wanted to.

The outfit that Paulo promised would work looked business casual, but the fabric was soft and silky, and there was an elastic waist, which was the greatest invention ever.

At about five, there was a knock on my bedroom door. “Come in.”

Benny stepped in with a smile. “How you feelin’?”

I liked Benny; he was kind to me and genuinely appeared to care.

“Nervous. I don’t want to embarrass Saros.”

Benny blew a raspberry and approached me. He was in a tailored charcoal-gray triple breasted suit with a black tie. I felt a little underdressed, but I’d hate being in a suit like that.

“Saros doesn’t get embarrassed. Don’t you worry, be yourself.” He extended his elbow for me to take. “How about I escort you?”

Relief washed over me; I really didn’t want to go down there alone.

“I’d like that, thanks.”

It didn’t seem like anyone was here yet, judging by the sound of it. There were a few voices, one distinct. I’d likely be able to find Saros in the dark.

Benny and I entered the dining room, which had been changed up a bit. The table was gone, and buffet stations were lined along the walls. French doors were opened to the room beside it, and from what I remember Martha telling me, it was a ballroom. So people would get food and migrate into there.Jesus, he did this every week?

“There he is.” A woman I’d never met before approached me. “I’m Aunt Penelope. You have an expression as if a rabid squirrel just landed on your head.”

I chuckled. “Sorry, this is very overwhelming to me.”

“It can be, but don’t you worry, Em. You’ll do great and if not, tell me or Dafni.” She gestured to a woman who resembledSaros, only petite, and she waved. “You know Cosmo and Benny. Paulo is here somewhere, and this is my husband, Andrew, and of course you know Saros.”

Saros approached me. “You look good. How about we get you comfortable?”

“I’m okay right now.”

Saros glanced at Benny and Benny released me, and Saros took his place. “Let’s get a drink, then.”

Saros was sneaky. He did get us drinks but afterward moved us to an area with a couch and footrest. I laughed when he smiled triumphantly, but I let him have it. It was nice to have someone take care of me for a change.

“Hey, Boss.” I peeked up and a man with slicked back brown hair, wearing dark pants and a nice deep-blue button-up, entered the room.

“Mike.” Saros gestured to me. “Mike, this is Em.”

Mike held his hand out quickly, realizing I couldn’t shake with my broken finger and switched.

“Nice to meet you, Em.” He turned to Saros. “Think we can talk before everyone arrives?”

Saros was silent for a beat, his gaze calculating as he regarded Mike. I wondered what was going on but I’d never ask; it wasn’t my business.

“Sure, let’s go to my study.” His blue eyes met mine. “I won’t be long.”

“I’m fine, do your thing.”

He appeared hesitant but in the end, he got up, and he and Mike left. I was in what I believed was a sitting room. It was open, and from here I could see people milling about across the way in the dining room.

It was easy to see that Saros only opened up part of his home for these family dinners: the dining room, ballroom, and this sitting room.

I sipped the sweet tea; it was delicious. A moment later, a tiny little girl bounced in. Her brown hair was all ringlets, her eyes a light brown, and her smile made twin dimples pop. She wore a ruffled blush-colored dress.

“Hi,” she said to me.

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