I knew that one would bite me in the ass. “They feel guilty that I was at the house when it exploded. Benito actually did need someone there at all hours when he was first released, and agreeing helped my cover stay clean.”
“And yet,” she said, “you’re already back.”
“Yeah, well, it felt inappropriate. He’s doing much better. As a matter of fact, he probably won’t need me at the house every day by the end of the week.”
“And here we thought he was knocking on death’s door,” Berkshire said wryly.
“Until you sent in the best doctor you know, he kind of was. He wasn't following the previous doctor’s instructions and was only getting worse. Now that he follows my protocols, he’s improved drastically.”
Berkshire said, “So you saved his life.”
“Looks like it. Consider my debt to society paid.”
“Not quite yet.” Lauder took the file from Berkshire and opened it, extracting a piece of paper and holding it out. “Do you recognize this man? Have you seen him at the Costa house?”
I peered at the printed photo that appeared to have been taken using a telephoto lens to zoom in from a great distance. “No, I haven't seen him. Who is he?”
“Leonardo Russo. He’s extremely dangerous.”
I’d heard that surname before when Benito and Noah were discussing who could be behind the attacks. “Okay, but aren’t they all?”
Ignoring me again, she went on. “You’ll need to return to the hotel every day at the very least to check in on the senior Mr. Costa.”
“Then you need to give me some answers about my parents’ case. I’m sick of being placated when you aren't doing any real work for me in return for my continued efforts.”
Something seemed to crackle in Lauder’s eyes; that hunger I’d seen at our first few meetings. She was ambitious, and she didn't care if I felt placated or double-crossed. She’d do as she damn well pleased if it got her one more rung up the ladder.
“As soon as the investigating agent has anything tangible, I’ll share it with you.”
Though my heart pounded painfully at the confrontation, I stepped as close to her as I dared. “Listen to me very carefully.”
Her pupils dilated as she fixed her gaze on mine, and I hoped she sensed that she’d met her match.
“I’ve always said no, haven’t I? Each and every time Berkshire tried to bring me another agent looking to score points with the boss, I told him to fuck off.”
“And yet, you agreed to my offer,” she pointed out, a bit too smugly for my liking.
“Not because you’re actually special, Agent Lauder, but because you finally found the one thing I can’t say no to. But I won't be your puppet forever. If you can’t at least throw me a bone, then I’m done. For good.”
Crossing her arms in the space between us, Patricia didn’t bother to move back. “Fine. For what it’s worth, here’s the only thing I do know: they weren't the intended targets.”
“Targets?” My breath came sharp and shallow as the image of the bullet holes in their bodies flooded my brain. “Targeted by whom?”
“When they know something, I’ll know something, and then you’ll know."
Though I struggled to breathe, I replied, “Same goes.”
Berkshire moved toward the door, breaking the spell between me and his associate. “Keep visiting the Costas every day. If you have to, pretend he’s not getting better.”
“That would never work. He’s not an imbecile who doesn't know his own health.”
The marshal shrugged. “Make it work.”
The wordsfuck youscreamed in my head, but I held my mouth clamped shut.
As soon as the door closed behind them, I collapsed on the couch, surrounded by my purse and overnight bag. Someone was a target, but not my parents? Who had targeted them, only to kill the wrong people? I didn't think I could find resolution if the results came back to say it was still an unfortunate accident. I was too young to know if they’d had enemies, but I knew I couldn't fully trust the words of either the FBI or the Marshal Service at this point.
Day by day, I found myself falling further down the rabbit hole, despite knowing I needed to get the hell away from Benito and Noah. What harm could come from being their friend? Whatharm could come from letting Benito father me and Noah seduce me?
