Page 41 of Diamonds & Deception

It’s labeledDonahueand has pages and pages of numbers, graphs, and other equations I don’t understand. The dollar amounts are in the millions. Could Drake be helping the crime family launder money? I’ve watched enough movies and have seen how easy it is to hide money in businesses like casinos, restaurants, and bars.

Owen’s bar. It must be another front for the family’s illegal activities. I’m sick to my stomach and close the folder, needing to get the hell out of here.

“Who the hell are you?”

A tall, dark, and imposing man stands in the doorway of Drake’s office. He narrows his eyes at me and isn’t shy about checking out my bare legs, then my chest. I remember I’m braless under Drake’s T-shirt and fold my arms over my nipples.

“Who are you?” I ask.

“Someone with a key and the right to be here.”

“One of Drake’s business partners?”

He drags his tongue across his bottom teeth, then gives out a small laugh. “You’re her.”

“Excuse me?”

“Drake’s secret girl.”

“I didn’t realize I was a secret.”

The man steps out into the hall. “Is Drake here?”

“No. He had to go to a meeting. He, uh, told me to make myself at home. I figured I’d take advantage of his computer to, um, do some research.” I pray the man doesn’t call me on my lie, seeing how the computer isn’t even on. I stand and head to the door. “I’m, um, going to get dressed.”

The man’s shoulders relax, and he doesn’t seem as intimidating anymore. In fact, I think he’s enjoying having caught me here. “Sorry to interrupt you then.”

I leave the office and follow him to the living room, pretending not to be self-conscious about my lack of clothing. At least now he’s being respectful and not ogling me.

When he reaches the front door, he turns, keeping his gaze above my neck. “I didn’t catch your name.”

“Nor— Lenora.”

He nods and gives me a grin that would have my panties melting if I wasn’t already infatuated with Drake.Was.That ship has sailed now that I have confirmation he’s in cahoots with the Irish mob.

“Nice to meet you, Nor-Lenora.” He taps his fingers to his forehead in some sort of salute and leaves.

The man never tells me his name, and I’m too nervous about what he’ll say to Drake to stick around. I hurry to the bedroom and get dressed in my skirt and pull my sweater over the T-shirt. I tuck my bra and panties in my purse and slide into my heels.

I’m heading down in the elevator when I chastise myself for taking off so quickly. It could look suspicious, especially if his friend mentions me being in the office. I need to keep up the facade if I want to be let back into his penthouse. I wait until I’m out the main doors to the casino and send Drake a text.

Me: Thank you for the most perfect evening. I hope you have a good day at work.

I hurry to the nearest T station and manage to ward off a nervous breakdown until I’m putting the key into Lenora’s apartment door. I drop my purse on the counter, power up my laptop, and crash on the couch.

There are too many coincidences for me to overlook them now. Drake’s up to something with the Donahue family, and there’s nothing good about the Irish mobsters. The key to good investigative reporting is to not let yourself get emotionally attached.

I’ve broken that rule, and then some. Needing a reminder of why I’m doing this, I call up my mom.

“Hey, sweetie. How’s work going in Boston?”

“Not as well as I had hoped. How’s Randy?”

My mom is quiet, and I hear her let out a sad sigh. “He’s lost a lot of weight. I can’t remember the last time he left the house.”

“Is he still meeting with the grief counselor?”

“He went with me twice but hasn’t been in over a month. I don’t know how to help him. Carly was the light of his life.”

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