Page 71 of Corrupted Empire

I have been here all morning, watching cartoons with my family. I’ve had two cups of coffee and some toast. I’m planning to take my family out for a nice lunch in a little bit.

“Hmm.” Ruby purses her lips. “We received an anonymous tip that a rival crime syndicate was planning to kidnap and possibly murder the leader of the Irish Mafia, Kevin Lynch. After staking out the location, a town car that matches the description of one you own fled from the scene. There was a brief chase, but the car got away.”

I laugh. “I’m sorry, Ruby. Can I just clarify that this has nothing to do with my father’s murder? You’re trying to insinuate that I’m involved with organized crime now?”

She takes a long, exaggerated look around the room, at the crown moldings, antique furniture, and brocade curtains. When she looks back at me, she smiles. “I’m not suggesting anything,” she says, clearly suggesting something. “However, I would be interested in having a look at your town car.”

“It’s not here,” I reply. “I believe it’s in the shop today.”

“And I suppose you’ll be able to provide all the necessary documentation to support that claim?” Ruby asks in a way that suggests she knows how easily I will be able to falsify some mechanic reports.

“Of course,” I reply. “Though you’ll have to wait until I am back in my office on Monday. Unless that is, I’m under arrest?”

Her mouth pinches in a sour smile. “Not yet.”

“Good.” I wave John over. “John will see you out.”

But Ruby doesn’t budge an inch. She turns her piercing gaze to Alexis instead.

“Alexis, how lovely to see you.” Her words drip like syrup onto the floor.

“I would say the same, but I’m afraid I share Gabriel’s opinion on your intrusion,” Alexis remarks. “This is highly inappropriate, and we will be lodging a complaint with your superiors.”

Fuck, she makes me proud sometimes.

“How very interesting.” Ruby clears her throat. “Just one question before I leave, then. Alexis, can you confirm that you have been with Gabriel all morning? I’d just like to remind you that if I find out you’re lying, you’ll both be in hot water.”

Time seems to lengthen as Alexis doesn’t answer right away. My heart cracks from one beat to the next, and I worry that this is all too much for Alexis, too soon. She has never had to cover for me with the police before, never had to outright lie to a figure of authority.

Alexis finally nods. “Yes, he’s been here all morning. And it was such a lovely morning before you showed up.”

Ruby eyes Alexis suspiciously but turns to leave. “I’m not going to drop this, Gabriel,” she calls over her shoulder as she exits the living room.

“We’ll see about that,” Alexis mutters.

We settle back into the couch and watch cartoons in silence. When I have confirmation from John that Ruby is well and truly gone, I turn to Alexis and grab her hand.

“Thank you,” I say.

“No problem.”

“Was that okay?” I ask. “Did you—did you not have a problem lying to the police?”

Alexis pulls my hand over and places it on her belly, pressing down. Her baby bump is barely visible, but I can feel the firmness of it.

“When it comes to our family, I’ll do anything,” she says.

We stay like that for a long time, until a commercial break effectively unglues Harry from the screen.

“Dada,” he says, grinning up at me. “Wanna play airplane?”

24

Alexis

Clara’s blonde head is bent low over the desk as she examines the set of photographs splayed across the wood. I went through a few of the older treatment centers yesterday and took photos of areas that could use some improvement, and Clara is helping me create a budget for the work.

“I think the most important things we should focus on are the kitchens,” she says. “You want these places to feel like a home, and kitchens are at the heart of that. You want them clean and accessible, with lots of seating. They should be the kind of place people want to hang out and make a meal together.” She looks up, smiling. “Recovery necessitates a lot of human interaction in my experience. It’s a lot easier to retreat into the darkness if you feel like you’re alone.”

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