Once in the car, I gazed out the window, unable to look away from the man who’d once offered to marry me. How different would my life have been if we’d ended up together? Would he have saved me from the pain of the life I’d led? Annoyed at the ridiculous thoughts, I shook my head rapidly to clear it.
When we returned home, there were several agents in FBI jackets roaming the perimeter of the house. Frustrated, I exited the car and marched toward Leo.
“What the hell is this?” I asked, stomping my heel on the granite front porch. “Where’s the warrant?”
“They presented it to Randy, who’s inside preparing the reading of the will. The agents are just looking for any traces of future trafficking or drug shipments that Victor logged. They’ll be done searching soon. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Bianca.”
Narrowing my eyes, I leaned forward and lowered my voice. “I know you work for the Carusos too, Leo. I’m not an idiot and I have eyes. I see you for the two-faced snake you are. But you’d better get these men out of my house. I know my rights, and I’m the owner of this house, notRandy,” I finished, frustration evident in my tone.
Clearing his throat, the man had the nerve to look chagrined. “Can we speak privately? Over there?” he pointed to a nearby tree away from the commotion.
“I can speak just fine here—”
“Please, Bianca,” he said softly.
Something about the plea in his tone urged me to follow, and when we were secluded, he spoke quietly so no one else could hear.
“I have to speak quickly so I can’t give you pleasantries, unfortunately. The bastard left the house and all of his possessions and investments to a trust, with Randy as the executor.”
My mouth fell open as I gaped at him. “That’s not correct. He named me as his executor and left me the house. Alexis will inherit everything else.”
“I’m very sorry, Bianca,” Leo said, shaking his head. “He changed his will without you knowing. Very shortly, you’ll have to vacate the property, and so will Alexis.”
Tears stung my eyes at my husband’s last cruel act. I knew he hated me, but to deny Alexis of her inheritance was despicable. If he weren’t already dead, I would murder the bastard with my bare hands.
“There’s more,” Leo said, inching closer as he spoke with haste. “Alexis erased Victor’s files as you instructed, but not before copying them onto a flash drive. John and Simon have access to a secret camera in Victor’s study and observed her making the flash drive. I need to know where it is. That information will get her killed, and she needs to turn it over to me so I can make sure she’s protected.”
Fear for my daughter surged up my spine as I shook my head. “We’ll give younothing, do you hear me? If your dirty agents want to know my husband’s business, they can do some actual police work and figure it out.”
Pivoting, I began to walk away, but Leo grabbed my arm.
“Bianca, you can’t trust anyone—”
“I know that,” I said, yanking my arm away. “Least of allyou.”
Disgusted at the entire situation, I marched toward the front door and drew Alexis inside to the bathroom, closing the door behind us and locking it.
“We don’t have much time,” I said, urgency in my tone. “Did you make a flash drive of your father’s upcoming shipments?”
Alexis swallowed thickly. “Yes.”
“Why, Alexis? Why would you do that?”
“I felt we needed leverage!” she said, extending her hands in a frustrated shake. “We have no protection now, Mom.”
“Less than you realize,” I said, harshly rubbing my forehead. “Your father cut us both out of the will.”
Her eyes grew wide. “He wouldn’t do that to me...”
“The fucking bastard did. Randy will read the will shortly, and I’ll maneuver some time for us. I think I can get him to allow us to live here for a short while. After that, we’ll have to make other arrangements and figure out how to make some money. Jesus,” I breathed, shaking my head. “What a fucking asshole. Even in death, he’s a bastard.”
“I can turn the flash drive over to John and Simon, but...” Alexis nervously bit her lip.
“But what?”
“It’s encrypted,” she said softly. “And I’m the only one who can break the encryption.”
“Alexis!” I hissed, furious that she would put herself in such danger. “Your father’s men will use the future shipments to continue to grow his empire and try to take power. They’ll kill you for that information—”
