“I’m honest.”
“So what can I do for you, Promise?” Using my street name was a subtle indication that she understood why I reached out. I needed information.
“You heard anyone discussing Ciana Malone recently?”
“Before I say anything, which side are you on?”
Side?
What the fuck did that mean?
“I don’t take sides, Morgan. If the price is right, I’ll accept the job.”
I wouldn’t necessarily say I had a moral compass but I also wouldn’t pretend that I was an anything goes type of guy.
I heard shuffling in the background, then a door closing before Morgan spoke again. “Mercer Malone got himself into a bit of trouble. He owes Warren Harte, and from what I hear, the debt is pretty large. The debt is to be paid in two days with Cia Malone.”
“Paid how?”
Cia remained neutral when it came to the strife her father and brother were responsible for. There should be no reason why she would be a payoff. At thirty-four years old, she wasn’t the young, virginal type that men like Harte wanted to fuck, break, then parade around town as their trophy.
“She’s to marry Harte on Christmas Day. Doing so means he gains access to the Malone family interest.”
Which also meant Arlo would become the underdog. He wanted me to grab her so she couldn’t marry Harte and was likely hoping Malone would be dead before Cia could be used to pay off his debt. Harte was a hot head. He wouldn’t tolerate Malone not following through with his end of the deal. Especially one including the cherished daughter of Malone who survived her family name without being attached to the typical bullshit that came with being a Malone. Like an arranged marriage to solidify a power move.
“Thanks, Morgan.”
“That’s it?” she purred.
I chuckled. “Merry Christmas.”
“Yeah, same,” she rattled off laced with sarcasm before ending the call.
2
Cia.
Everything about today felt off. The call from my father making sure I would be at the house promptly at six, then the multiple texts from my brother attempting to confirm the same. I had no idea why they were all so stressed. Each year it was the same thing. We picked one of our many properties as the destination where we would spend Christmas. Mother paid an elite event planner to decorate the house and Father scheduled the jet to fly us there.
I was used to the process, but today everyone seemed overly anxious about the family being in place. Aboutmebeing in place. When the car service pulled into the circular drive of my family estate, that same gut feeling intensified. Something was definitely off. Two vehicles I didn’t recognize were parked at our home. No one should be here but family, however the Town Car and Bentley didn’t belong to anyone carrying the Malone last name.
By the time I was inside—positioned next to the luggage I’d packed for the weekend—and found my brother standing in the foyer waiting for me, the terrible gut feeling that things were offwas solidified. My thoughts shifted to my father but then quickly moved to my mother since I had spoken to him multiple times today.
“Where’s Mom, is she…”
“She’s fine, Ci. Come with me. We need to talk.” My brother Merrick approached me slowly, void of his usual confidence. When he reached out to touch me, I jerked away.
“Dad?”
His eyes softened and there was my answer. “Oh God, what happened? Is he sick, was there anaccident…”
“Cia, he’s fine, for now.” Merrick’s tone was firm. Firmer than usual which had me rolling my shoulders back.
“Then what’s wrong? He’s been calling all day. You’ve been texting. If everyone is fine, what’s the problem? We’re two days from Christmas and you look like you’re ready to murder someone instead of preparing to spend the week with your family.” Another thought occurred. “Where’s your wife, Merrick? Is this about her? What has she done now?”
A scowl filled his handsome face seconds before he wrapped his hand around my arm and dragged me through the holding room, not stopping until we were inside the study where he slammed the door.
“What the fuck?” I growled and he crossed the room, putting his back to me. Once he reached the wet bar, poured a drink, tossed it back, and then poured another, repeating the motion, I fully gauged the severity of whatever this was.Oh fuck, things are bad. He looked so much like our father right now.
