Page 47 of The Mastermind

He flicked me a serious look. “Tell no one about that day.”

“Why are you working for them? Who are they? Do you know who the victim was?”

“Too many questions, amigo. It’s best not to ask.” He pointed to his temple. “Too much info makes you a target. I didn’t save you just to get you killed now. Enjoy your life. Stop by my restaurant when you’re hungry, and we’ll catch up. Bring your friends.”

I got some answers today, but not all of them. Slash was right, knowing too much could bring me trouble.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

AUDRI

I sent off morejewelry pictures to Zach, the fashion stylist hooking me up with the exclusive charity fashion show. The designers had loved the first batch of images and requested to see more. They planned to pair my jewelry with their ensembles.

Excitement burst inside me. The new collection for my Epiphanii brand containedall-new pieces that hadn’t been shown anywhere. The jewelry I’d left at the local consignment stores was affordable, fun fashion jewelry. This new collection for the fashion show and the exhibit in New York City next year embraced more intricate designs involving genuine gemstones.

With my to-do list completed for the day, I turned on the TV to unwind. On a late Saturday evening, I flipped through the channels, and nothing interested me. I was about to turn off the TV when a cat food commercial emerged. I gasped as a gray Siberian cat with aqua eyes meowed for food. It looked just like Mochi.

My chest ached, and tears filled my eyes, flowing down my cheeks. I missed him. When my dad and Mochi died in the fire, I cried every night before bedtime for a few years. I never told my mom because I didn’t want her to worry about me. She had a lot going on. She had to take care of me, Grayson, and all the business stuff my dad had left behind.

No one truly recovered from that kind of trauma.Ever. Over time, the grief faded into the background until something lured it out, but I could now look back and not panic like I used to. It still hurt, but I could better accept the pain and guilt.

Though Grayson hadn’t experienced the fire, he had suffered as well. He developed this overprotectiveness for me because he felt guilty for not being there to help me, Dad, and Mochi, although it wasn’t his fault.

When the commercial stopped and something else came on, my tears continued to flow. Mom had asked me if I wanted a new cat a few years after Mochi’s death, and I refused. I couldn’t replace Mochi. My heart didn’t have room for another cat. I could still feel him clinging to me during the fire and how his body had prevented a falling shelf from crushing my leg. The physical scars I had gained from that fire could have been a lot worse.

My phone buzzed with a new text message, and my brain switched from the past to the present. Wiping the tears away with the back of my hands, I smiled when I saw who it was. It had been over two weeks since our sumo match. I had been waiting to see when he’d initiate contact.

R:Are you receiving any random text messages?

A:If I consider this one from you. (smile emoji) Did you find out who it was?

R:Lawrence. He won’t be bothering u anymore. I took care of it.

A:How?

R:Not important.

I paused a moment, trying to figure out how to respond to him. Why wouldn’t it be important? What had he done to Lawrence? I didn’t want to start a tiff, so I let it pass. Regardless, I was glad the texts stopped.

A:Thank you.

R:You’re welcome. Okay if I bring over lunch or dinner tomorrow?

A:I never say no to good food. (smile emoji)

And good company, but I left that part out. I didn’t want to inflate an already massive ego. A girl could only handle so much, right?

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

REMINGTON

I phonedin an order to Burrito Shack. Since I wasn’t sure what kind of burrito Audri preferred, I got both the chicken and pork. No one ever complained about having options.

I sent her a text.Did you eat yet? Heading over with lunch now. You’ll love these.

I drove my Maserati to pick up my order and checked my phone. No reply came from Audri.She must be in the shower or something.

I sent another text before driving off.Don’t eat anything. Wait for these burritos!

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