Page 28 of The Hate We Breathe
“You told me so I could… what? Go to the cops and tell them about Darrio?”
She hesitates at the edge of the booth. “Ma-Ri is a good boss,” she says.
I narrow my eyes on her. “Oh no,” I snap. “Don’t pretend like you’re altruistic. What’s the real reason? Why would you help me by giving me information that could lead to another suspect in his murder?”
Margo grits her teeth and glares at me. I stare right back. Finally, she hisses out a breath and gives me an answer. “I know what it’s like to be accused of something you didn’t do,” she tells me. “Before I worked for Ma-Ri, I worked as an admin assistant. It was a good job, but someone stole a client’s watch. The client pointed the finger at me even though there was no evidence and it didn’t turn up even when they searched my desk and purse. My boss didn’t even listen when I told him it wasn’t me. When I was fired, they said the only way they wouldn’t press charges was if I said I resigned.”
I don’t have to ask why. I know from what my father had said in the past about firing previous employees. Firing them means they’ll get unemployment, but if they resign… they get nothing because they’re doing it voluntarily—or so the paperwork says.
I release my hold on Margo’s dress and give her a nod. “Thanks.” She doesn’t wait around, but gets up and marches off, hurrying across the club floor on her high heels.
“What was that about?” Gio’s curious question comes from the side.
“Hopefully a lead,” I reply absently. Margo being in just the right place at the right time to spot Morpheus and Darrio together before Morpheus’ death feels almost too good to be true. It’s the first I’ve ever heard of the two men being involved aside from living in the same town, but if Darrio had something to do with his death, don’t we need to know?
My eyes move back to Gio as he watches Margo leave. I lean around him. “Where’s Lex?”
“Here.”
I lean around Gio to see Lex striding up behind him. He holds out an envelope with my name on it.
“What’s this?” Something slides around inside as I rip open the top flap. Inside there’s a slip of paper and a key.
“Key to the back door,” Lex says. “In case you wanted to take Ma-Ri up on her offer and come back to work. If you say no, I can bring it back.”
Scowling, I lift my eyes to his. “Why didn’t she ask me to come back herself?” I ask suspiciously.
Lex shrugs. “She’s a proud woman.”
“Bullshit.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Gio says before Lex or I can get into it. When he hauls me up by my arm, I glance back at the table.
“We didn’t pay?—”
“Yes, we did,” he says.
“When—”
Gio groans. “Ugh, does it matter? I’m tired, Prep Girl. I wanna go back to Lex’s and fuck you and then go to sleep.”
“Well, that’s too fucking bad,” I say through clenched teeth. “Because you’re dropping me off at Nolan’s. I have a bone to pick with him.”
Gio stops at the door as Lex pushes through. “Seriously?” He gapes at me. “Nolan is gonna be out ’til late tonight. Can’t I have some before you?—”
“Nope.” I pop the word out as I pull away from his grasp and follow Lex outside. As we head around the building to the parking lot, I call behind me, “Consider it your punishment for not telling me about the funeral!”
Gio’s responding sigh is overdramatic and brings a smile to my lips.
11
JULIET
Nolan doesn’t get home until well after midnight.
I’m sprawled atop his bed in the near dark of his bedroom, staring up at the ceiling like it might have answers for me. Margo’s confession spins in circles around my head. As soon as we’d left The Dionysus Lounge, I’d told the guys everything she’d said.
Gio had been silent in the front seat as Lex had driven and asked me every question under the sun. Unfortunately, since the story wasn’t my own, the answers I gave to him were basic and vague and a lot of the time filled with “I don’t know”.
