Page 73 of Sweet Lies

Elijah and Claire are running the room as they have a thousand times before. Elijah is speaking with Daniel Ferrari as I move to his side. Daniel eyes me but continues to speak.

“We need to have him taken care of soon. If you can’t handle Sebastian…”

Elijah takes a menacing step forward. Daniel holds his ground, which I have to credit, considering my brother appears to want to rip his head off his shoulders.

Elijah had gotten back into power by blackmailing some of the most powerful members of the Five Families. For Ferrari, his wife is the pressure point. It’s no secret they love each other or that his wife’s family helped make him what he is—his family had the history and the bloodline, but hers had the money and the connections. But few are aware that he has a mistress—and a child by her. From my understanding, he moves her every few months, and his wife has no idea. It would ruin him if she did. Either her family would have his head for the disrespect, or she would make his life a living hell.

He hasn’t changed much in the last few years—more white hair and wrinkles, but the same vibe of intelligence and ruthlessness.

“Don’t challenge me. Last I checked, he was everybody’s problem. I’m handling it on my side. What are you doing? Or have you already forgotten that if I die, everything comes out? Remember that in case you’re considering not putting your full effort into finding Sebastian.”

Daniel’s lie is unconvincing. “Of course. I understand. I want this done as quickly as possible. My concern is Logan.”

“Logan wants him dead as much as we do. He’s tried to kill me twice now. It could be any of us next.”

Daniel nods, stepping away.

Concealing my expression, I ask, “What does Sebastian have to do with this?”

“He wants me dead. Nothing new. He’ll be dealt with soon enough.”

“How do you know?”

“Because we didn’t live only to be killed by that worm, that’s how.” He winks before stepping away.

I return to my people-watching wall and take notes.

Luna Ferrari has grown up. She’s a couple of years younger than me but appears older tonight with her makeup. Her dark hair falls straight down her back, and her white off-the-shoulder dress reaches just above her knees. I watch her move through the room, laughing at the appropriate times, staying silent when needed. The perfect addition to any arm. Her fiancé watches her, keeping close by, his hands always touching her somewhere. The more he touches her, the more her eyes twitch with nerves. She wants to get away from him; that much is obvious. The fiancé is a couple of inches shorter than Luna, but what he lacks in height, he makes up in muscle. From what I can tell, his eyes are beady beneath his dark hair. He reminds me of a hawk circling dinner.

Oh, how I haven’t missed this.

Liar, a part of me whispers back, and I grin.

* * *

On the ride back, Elijah and Claire discuss any helpful information they’ve found out, ignoring me, as per usual. My arm rests against the window as my annoyance grows. I’m simply going to be childish and keep what I found out to myself. Petty can be my middle name tonight. I sense Andre’s eyes on me and know he’s realized I’m hiding something. I send a glare in his direction, telling him to stay out of my business.

“The Ferrari family is ecstatic about this marriage. Tying their family to the governor’s son will give them more power, which the other families aren’t thrilled about,” Claire says.

I wince at her words and know I’m caught.

“What?” she demands, sitting straighter in her seat.

“Luna isn’t as thrilled about this marriage as everyone would lead you to believe.”

“And where did you hear that?” Elijah demands.

“Where all women hear their gossip: the bathroom. I was about to come out of the last stall, when I heard Luna and her sister enter. Since the door was slightly ajar, they didn’t check if anyone was inside. Luna was crying about the marriage. She hates the guy, says he slaps her around at times. Apparently she told her father, and he said it was worth it for the alliance. Luna’s in love with Jamie, her bodyguard. They’ve been having an affair for over two years. She wants to run away with him but is worried about causing a war between their families.”

“That’s unexpected. All my reports suggested they were a happy couple.”

“Well, brother, you may want to look into adding eyes to the ladies’ rooms around town,” I mutter back.

“Don’t even think about it,” Claire says, glaring at Elijah.

She looks back at me and asks, “What else did you find out? It seems you got better intel than the rest of us.”

“Not much else of use. Luca, Gian Marino’s son, and Liz Costa were drunk and arguing about something. I couldn’t get close enough to overhear what. Daniel and his wife didn’t speak all night. They stayed as far apart from each other as possible.”

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