Page 16 of Lethal Vows

Because I want to strangle her with my bare hands right now for lying to me.

“Rya.” One of my colleagues, Samantha, calls me over. “It looked intense in there,” she says, referring to the boardroom.

“It was,” I reply. We have only ever spoken a few times, as idle chitchat isn’t something I waste much time on at work.

“Is it true?” she whispers as she glances around us, ensuring no one can hear.

My eyebrows furrow. “Is what true?”

“You know. That Brian got shot at your birthday party, and you know the killer? Apparently, he’s super-hot.”

My sharp gaze cuts to hers. I should’ve expected as much, but I don’t appreciate idle gossip and being linked to the criminal personally. But what irks me more is how she spoke about him.

“You should know better than to objectify criminals sexually.”

She shrinks into herself. “Sorry, I just—”

“But, yes, we’d met once in passing. That’s all. I have no idea his reasons for what he did, but the police have closed the case,” I say, offering her my sharpest smile.

“Oh, that makes sense,” she says politely before quickly finding herself busy with work again. Had it been any other criminal it might’ve been easier to avoid gossip. But Crue’s too bold and uncaring of anyone who might have seen him that night. And I must keep our connection as far away as possible in case others start digging up my past. Because then I won’t have any chance of making it on my own, instead relying on my father’s name.

My phone pings again as I walk to my office.

I open the email…

Dear Miss Ricci

Don’t you know it’s bad form to not reply? I’d hate to have to do anything drastic to gain your attention.

Reply.

Crue

… and delete it,furious.

CHAPTER9

Rya

The week was a spiral of questions, transitions, and court cases, and still, I haven’t gotten any closer to accepting the new role I was offered. In truth, I only want to focus on my biggest case to date with the Torrisi family. And my current client seriously fucked up this week. I’d told him to lie low, and instead, he went on another killing spree with some damning evidence that makes my life a living hell to defend. But I will. I’ll get him off like I did the others.

Arriving home from work, I spot Monica waiting at the entrance to my building. She’s dressed in her usual colorful clothes, and when she sees me, she smiles. After the shit I went through this week at the office, I don’t need this, but I suppose there’s no avoiding it now.

Monica tries to hug me, but I hold out my hand.

She looks baffled and steps back, arms hanging by her sides. “I’ve been trying to call and message you all week,” she says, a little annoyed. “I thought something had happened to you after last weekend.”

Now, it just makes me mad.Does she actually give a shit?

“Did you?”

“Don’t put that lawyer face on for me. You forget I know you.”

“Do you?” I ask. “Know me, I mean.” I lift my sunglasses from my eyes and slide them to the top of my head.

“What’s with the attitude? Damn, Rya.” She pulls back from me and shakes her head.

“I find it funny how you can stand here and pretend. Did you take acting lessons?”

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