Page 8 of Vengeance

“Yeah, but it was your drive and determination that put it together. Sorry about not making it to the grand opening.”

I shrug as I join her on the couch. “We’re on opposite sides of a mafia war. Which begs the original question. What are you doing here and how?”

Cres smirks. “I don’t run an all-female underworld spy ring and not have a few tricks for getting into a city I’m not supposed to be in and a spot at an exclusive salon without anyone knowing.”

“You could have just asked me. I would have gotten you in.”

“You know that’s not as fun.”

I smirk this time. Because she’s right. It’s not as fun.

“But why?” I ask, not letting her forget the point.

“Adrian was worried about you.”

“Worried?”

“Well, he didn’t say it in as many words but he wanted me to get someone to check in on you.”

Eileen. She must have said something

“I’m fine.”

Cres gives me a onceover and says, “Don’t lie.”

“I’m not lying. I am fine.”

“That may be true, but you’re not being all the way truthful.”

“How would you know?”

“Really? I don’t. People like you and Adrian are really good liars with really good poker faces and not a lot of tells. Your expressions, demeanors, and body language are the same across all emotions because you’re perpetually on guard. So it’s hard to tell if you’re on guard for something out of the ordinary. It’s a good skill to have. Only person who ever comes close is Eileen.”

She’s wrong about the fact that Viper and I don’t have tells. We do. But I suppose only the two of us can see them in each other because it’s only around each other than our guards are truly down… despite the fact that we have every reason to be on guard around each other.

“But Adrian would know. So if he’s sending me to check on you, something’s going on. So give me something to go back and tell him.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“I’ll tell him in person.”

“In person when? There’s no telling how long he’ll be stuck on the west coast and Midwest and you on the east coast until Pray is dead.”

“We’ve got a timeline.”

A timeline where I’ll likely be telling Viper about my pregnancy by presenting him with the baby resulting from it. But I’m going to tell him in person nonetheless.

Cres pauses to look me up and down critically before saying bluntly, “You’ve gained weight.”

“That’s rude to point out.”

“I know it is, and normally I’d never mention it to another woman but I’m on a mission from Adrian. And I rather be rude than have to face his temper because I didn’t bring him anything.”

Cres leans forward but doesn’t touch me and then frowns before leaning back.

“It’s not the normal kind, though. It’s in your face and nose and… you’re all glowy.” She pauses. Then, “Holy shit. You’re pregnant!”

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