Page 65 of Lethal Vows

I assume you have received your basket by now. Can we meet over dinner tonight if you are well enough for the occasion?

Reply.

Crue.

“You demanding asshole!”I growl at my phone.

“Sorry?” Mr. Luca asks as he steps into my office.

I all but hide the phone as if caught with something illegal.

“Wow, that is an impressive basket.” He whistles. “Belated birthday present?”

“No.” I pick it up. “But it’s too big to fit in the trash.” So I drop it beside the can and hope one of the cleaners finds joy out of it.

His eyebrows knit together as he closes the door behind him. “I was hoping I could have a brief discussion with you today.”

“Is everything all right?” I ask as I offer him the seat across from me, but he declines, so I make a point not to sit in mine. I tap my nail on the desk contemplatively.

“If it is about Brian’s job, I told the board myself I won’t step into the role until I’ve closed the Torrisi case.”

He quirks a smile. “It’s not about that.”

Okay.

“I thought I should reach out and see how you’re doing. I’ve been advised that perhaps you’ve been keeping unfavorable company as of late.”

“Unfavorable company? You do realize that’s my job, don’t you?”

“I’m talking about the type you might have outside of work. That might jeopardize this firm.”

My palm rests on the desk.

“Crue Monti, specifically.”

“Are you about to give me a fatherly lecture as to what I should do in my spare time, Mr. Luca?”

He offers a flat smile. “Nothing fatherly about it. I’m simply ensuring it won’t be a problem for the firm. We have clients who might not necessarily agree with your association with him.”

“And what exactly are you under the impression my association with him is?”

He shrugs and licks his lips. A sign that the conversation is rolling in my favor. “He was here only a week ago. He has also been identified as the person who killed Brian.”

“I had been advised that man was imprisoned and killed.”

He offers another tight smile. “Right you are. I would hate for you to jeopardize this upcoming promotion because ofbadcompany.”

“Are you threatening me?” I ask.

Blood drains from his face. “No. I purely say it out of concern. I know some other board members have reservations about your relationship with Mr. Monti.”

“Such as?” None of the other board members frequent the office as much as Mr. Luca, and I have the distinct impression that he’s lying.

“I would rather not say. Please take it as a friendly concern, that’s all.”

Lucky for him, I’m not in the habit of making friends or being told what to do.

“You don’t have to worry about Mr. Monti. I’m dealing with it.”One way or another.

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