Page 63 of Twisted Lies

“Perfect. I want to make cookies today.”

“Not that I’m complaining, but what has caused this urge to be Betty Crocker?”

“It came to me in a dream.”

“Good enough answer as any. I’ll send someone out to get the supplies,” he says, sitting in bed and grabbing his phone from the bedside table. He swipes and sends in the order.

“Thank you,” I say, smiling and leaning over to kiss him before getting out of bed.

“Where are you going?” he asks, reaching his hand toward me.

“To shower.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him. He leaps from the bed in a flash, and I race to beat him to the bathroom. He catches me just as I enter the doorway, swinging me back against his chest as if I weigh nothing.

“Caught you,” he whispers against my ear, giving it a slight nip.

“Yes, you did. Now, what are you going to do with me?” I ask, resting my hands on his arms that wrapped around my front.

“Hm, good question,” he says, swinging me into his arms and taking a few steps into the large master bathroom. Once there, he strips me of my clothes in a few quick actions. Stepping away from him, I step into the shower and turn the knob to the hottest temperature. He steps behind, and we step under the hot water. His fingertips dance over my skin.

“This is a hell of a way to start the day,” I say, enjoying his touch.

His lips linger at my neck as he murmurs, “Saves water. Good for the environment.”

* * *

ELIJAH

After the shower with Lily, I leave with Claire for a meeting with the other Families. “You seem ready,” I mutter as Claire partially jumps in excitement in her seat.

“Very much so.”

“Were you not the one who said we didn’t need to come home, that everything was fine the way it was?” I ask, laughing.

She smacks my shoulder. “Yes, but I forgot how fun it was being me.”

“It won’t last long. Alex will want you back in Texas sooner or later.”

She pouts. “I know. But maybe I can convince him to move the business.”

“That will never happen, and you know it. But I’m happy to have your help today.”

She doesn’t respond, but flips open the folder on her lap, re-reading it for the twentieth time, I’m sure. The drive is only a little over a half hour. The parking lot is empty except for the Families’ familiar cars. I try not to laugh as Claire steps into the almost empty bar. The heads of the Families sit at the table. Each family has two men with them that stand off to the side.

“Hello, gentlemen. Have you missed me?” she proclaims, dropping her large red folder with a bang in the middle of the table. Some of the men who were not around when we were stare at her with surprise. The others pay her little mind, unshocked by her actions. They know this is all part of her game. She’s trying to see who she can get a reaction from.

“Claire, good to see you again,” Gian says, pouring her a drink.

She grins as she lifts the glass to her lips.

A man—really more of a boy—I’ve not met yet pulls in an extra seat. He’s young, the youngest in the room. I want to know who he is. It’s odd to have one so young part of a planning meeting about money and movements. He must be important to somebody in this room. That knowledge means power. I can never have enough power.

Claire being Claire, looks at the boy and says. “You’re a face I don’t know. Who might you be?”

I give him points as he continues to hold her gaze and not look around for approval. “Mario Ferrari.”

Interesting. I don’t recall Daniel having a son this young. Interesting, to say the least. “Now that we got introductions complete, let’s get to business.”

“Yes. I agree with my brother. I took the lead and worked on some numbers. Please take a look,” she says, flipping open the folder.

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