Serenity sniffed. “Yeah. Hard to believe, right? He’s kind of stubborn and—well, anyway, it’s nice to meet you. We should have coffee sometime."
Absolutely not.
"That would be nice," I lied.
After Serenity left, I sat at my desk, pulse racing.
The psychic worried me. If she could actually sense things—or even if she was just obscenely observant—she could expose me.
I couldn't afford that.
Not when I was this close to understanding the truth.
Not when that truth was threatening to destroy everything I thought I knew about my family.
Chapter 16
Julia
Carlo called at seven the next morning.
I was already awake—had been since five—staring at my laptop screen. At the evidence I'd found yesterday. At the timeline that kept pointing away from Quentin and toward my own family.
Toward Silvio.
Maybe toward Filomena too.
"Jules," Carlo's voice was warm but tired. "I have news."
I sat up straighter. "What kind of news?"
"I've decided to give you more time. Filomena told me that Silvio was spotted. Your cover is still intact?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Then you have two extra weeks. Now that you’re in, you should have more access to his files. We’ll need all the information you can gather if we’re to have a successful takeover."
My heart stuttered. "You mean if he’s guilty."
“Of course. The family is restless. They want action. But Filomena convinced me you need time to do this properly." He paused. "Do you need time, Julia? Or do you need me to send Silvio in to finish this?"
No.
"I need the time," I said quickly. "I'm close to finding real evidence. But I have to be careful. If I move too fast—"
"I understand." But his voice held warning. "Two weeks,sorella. After that, we act. One way or another."
"I understand."
After he hung up, I sat in the pre-dawn darkness and tried to breathe.
Two weeks.
Fourteen days to prove Quentin was innocent. To figure out who really killed Papa. To find evidence that wouldn't destroy me in the process.
Fourteen days before Carlo ordered an execution.
I can do this. I have to do this.
