Page 67 of Weaponized

“Look, I need to talk to Gianni. Get some things straight. I just want to make sure we know what we’re dealing with.”

Lying whore.That’s what I called her. Tears streaming down her face.

“We’ve known Gianni our whole lives,” Anthony says hoarsely. “I don’t know why he’d lie. I mean, he obviously never liked her much. But this is too extreme. I justcan’tbelieve he’d set her up like that.” He’s shaking his head.

“I don’t know what’s true,” Matteo states calmly. “I’m just saying we don’t have the full story. Maybe Gianniismostly right and some of his facts are just wrong. Maybe he’s been pressured to lie. Or maybe he invented the whole thing for some reason. All I do know is that the answers start with Gianni.”

“Well, then fucking find him,” I snarl. There’s an explanation, and I’ll get it out of him. One way or another. In the meantime, my pity party is officially over. I’m overdue for a visit with the Greek heir.

Gráinne

On Saturday morning, I make a decision. I spent the entire week feeling sorry for myself. I just kept looking at Luca’s things in my space. His toothbrush, soap, miscellaneous clothing. Rowan, Elizabeth, and Taryn were obviously taking turns trying to babysit me. I caught on sometime Friday afternoon that they had set up a rotation. I can’t keep doing this. So, I’m going to do something else.

Luca definitely deserves better than me, and evidently, he also knows that now because he didn’t come running after me. He’s likely already moved on to someone else. I can feel my heart seize as I think about that, but I shake it off. I can’t allow myself to think about him at all. Nothing good can come from it. So, I have to be done. And, there’s only one way I can do that.

I call Margaret, who is the assistant to my mother’s assistant. I’m not making that up. That’s really her job. I tell her I’m going to drop by to pick up some things that my mother left for me.

I carefully put on my makeup. I dress casually but sophisticated nonetheless. Black ponte cigarette pants, crisp white dress shirt, wide belt, chunky jewelry, low heels. I flat-iron my shiny hair. I’m ready for battle.

Maeve meets me in the foyer of my family home and immediately pulls me into a hug.

“I was going to head out before Da returns,” she whispers in my ear, “but I wanted to see you first. FaceTime isn’t enough.”

I squeeze her tight before taking a step back. “So, Da isn’t home then?” He always has a breakfast meeting on Saturdays, and I was hoping today isn’t an exception.

“No, he’s at his normal weekly meeting, but I didn’t want to take any chances by lingering too long. Just wanted a hug before I headed out.” Maeve smiles at me. I’m glad she’s been heeding my advice about spending more time away from my father. With her intelligence, it won’t be long before he tries to put her to work for the clan.

We chat for a few minutes, and I grin as I take in her appearance. Maeve’s wrapped herself up in a full winter coat and has a backpack that probably weighs more than she does slung over her shoulder. I’m about to tease her when Margaret steps into the entryway. She is all nervous smiles and frenetic energy.

“Gráinne! Hello!” She stops her perusal of me and turns to my sister. “Your driver is out front, Maeve.”

Maeve nods before giving me one more quick hug on her way out the door. “I’ll call you later,” she promises.

Margaret turns to me once she sees my sister is safely tucked inside the Bentley. “I texted Kathleen and she said to show you to the storage room. I can have the boxes brought up if you’d like. I know you’ve been ill. I don’t want you catching a cold down there.”

I don’t bother to tell Margaret that’s an old wives’ tale. Instead, I give her my best smile. “You are the absolute best! Don’t worry about having them brought up;I know you guys are all busy. I just need an hour or so to gather the right things.”

Margaret is bouncing on her feet. “Well, let me show you down.”

“Oh no!” I wave her away. “I grew up here. I certainly know my way!”

“Oh,” she says in a disappointed tone. “Well, let me just show you where I found everything, so you don’t have to hunt.”

The basement is huge and has an east end and a west end spanning under the grounds of the entire O’Toole estate. My father’s workshop, as he calls it, is in the western part. I am about to head east for my old things. Fortunately for me, the two wings are connected by a narrow hallway.

Once we reach the dozen boxes that are all neatly stacked and labeled in the large storage area that I’m certain my mother has never visited, I turn to Margaret.

“Well, I better get at it then. Do you think you could possibly find me a few shopping bags to pack up what I need?”

She bobs her head vigorously. I have never met a woman more eager to please, or apparently, harder to get rid of. “Oh, yes! I keep some in my office. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Her office is on the second floor on the west side of the house, so I’m banking on at least ten minutes.

As soon as I hear her footsteps above my head, I take off in a jog for my father’s workshop. The door has a keypad entry, and I am praying he didn’t change the combination. I remember it from the times I was brought here for my own punishments. Fortunately, the room is empty and looks exactly like I remember it. I feel the bile climbing up my throat and swallow it down.I snap a few photos with shaky hands. Red floor. Black metal chair. Crucifix. Tool chest. Examination table. Shackles on the far wall. Whip hung nearby. I’m a bit unsteady, but I probably get a dozen good shots before I pocket my phone, relock the door, and jog back to my untouched boxes. Unfortunately, by the time I get back to the storage room, Margaret is standing there looking perplexed. How on earth is she so fast?

“Oh! You beat me back here!” I laugh.

She teeters out a hesitant laugh because she’s nervous now, unsure of where I would have gone and if she’ll be getting in trouble for it. I’m certain she was told to keep an eye on me. Frankly, I was more concerned Seamus would be here. My brain searches for an excuse to offer her.

“I’m surprised I didn’t pass you on the stairs. Rowan called and I get terrible reception down here. I was in the foyer for a few minutes to take his call.” I smile my most innocent smile.

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