“So what were you talking about then? Why is it such a wonderful day?”
“I just received a call from Lance, and your father and Carla are in route to the Lucky Diamond, so the three of you can program my biometrics into the system.” He eyes me carefully, gaging my reaction.
“They are?” I infuse my tone with surprise. “I thought you were reluctant to do that. After all, my biometrics work just fine, and I’m happy to help out my father-in-law wherever possible.” I lay it on thick just as Xavier comes into the room. He’s dressed business casual, with a pair of black slacks and a gray button-up dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He presses a kiss to my head before pouring us both a cup of coffee. Xavier places it in front of me before he sits.
“Good morning, Dad,” he mumbles to Mario, keeping all his attention on me. His hand drifts to my stomach, and Mario eyes it with enthusiasm. “I had a great time last night. You were so freaking sexy in that dress,” he says, letting Mario make assumptions.
“Oh, I thought you had a migraine,” Stacey sneers as she appears like a bad smell out of nowhere.
“You know what they say about headaches. Having an orgasm or three is a good way to get rid of them.” Vienna and the other two boys join us, taking seats around the table.
Mario claps with enthusiasm. “Ah, everyone is here, but where is Gregor?” he asks Stacey with a weird look on his face.
She shrugs. “He said he was going into the office early today when we said goodnight. Something about wanting to prove to you he is worthy or something. It was kind of weird, but I put it down to he’d been drinking a lot.”
Mario scowls. “The Lucky Diamond office?”
“I guess so,” she replies breezily. “He said he would see me tonight out at the vineyard. We’re going to make sure everything is in place for tomorrow. I have a long list of things that need to be checked.”
Mario seems a little put off by the conversation, but he shakes it off. “Ah, good. Penny and Vienna can help you with those, but I need Tori today, so you can’t have her.” Vienna wrinkles her nose but keeps quiet, and Penny is nowhere to be seen, but none of that is my concern now.
“So I’m going to the Diamond?” I ask cautiously, hiding my enthusiasm.
“That’s what I said,” he snaps impatiently, and Xavier squeezes my leg in warning. “I’m sure you’re dying for a family reunion.”
“More like all of her family keeps dying. Be careful, Uncle, that she doesn’t kill her father and aunt before you can get them to do what needs to be done,” Stacey says viciously.
“Says the girl whose mother and father are both missing now,” Colton mutters under his breath. Holy shit, he’s right. I wonder if Mario took care of him, or if Gregor has his own coup in the works.
Mario stands abruptly, obviously done with this whole conversation. “We leave in ten minutes. Don’t be late,” he orders and stalks out of the room, mumbling under his breath.
“Jesus, is Mario bipolar? His mood was all over the place this morning,” I ask nobody in particular.
“That’s when you have to be the most alert,” Tristan says quietly, and even Stacey looks a little uncomfortable, squirming in her seat.
“I hope he takes his meds before tomorrow,” she mutters selfishly before standing up. “Well, come on then, Vienna, let’s find the old bag of bones and get moving. We have lots to do.” She turns to Tristan. “Only twenty-four more hours before I am Mrs. Tristan Maricuso. I can’t wait,” she squeals. “See you later, lover.” She blows him a kiss and leaves, Vienna trailing behind her muttering about missing breakfast.
“Kill me now,” Tristan begs, and Colton gives him an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder.
“Come on, with the mood Mario is in, we can’t leave him waiting.” Xavier drains the last of his coffee before standing up and holding out his hand. I take it and allow him to pull me up. “Remember, blank faces and no enthusiasm. It might be better if you pretend you are with us and your dad gets angry. That will keep Mario happy and gloating, so no enthusiastic displays of affection,” he cautions.
I swallow the lump in my throat. The thought of letting Dad think I’ve betrayed the Russos, even for a short amount of time, burns, but I would do and have done a lot worse to keep the family safe. He will forgive me eventually, and even if he doesn’t, as long as he stays alive for Sage to rescue him, then that’s all that matters right now.
The ride to Suncity is filled with tension. Once again, we are all in one limo together, and Mario gloats continuouslyabout finally putting Stefano Russo in his place. I realize I’m going to have to put on a good show to make him believe I am truly on his side, and that he has succeeded in defeating my father. I just hope my dad can forgive me when everything is said and done.
I’m a ball of fucking tension by the time we arrive and get out of the limo in the valet parking of the Diamond. We bypass reception and head up to my father’s office, ignoring everyone who looks our way.
When we arrive, we find Gregor sitting at his desk, swearing as he bangs away on the laptop in front of him.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Mario demands, and Gregor looks up, startled, but quickly recovers.
“Nothing. I was just going over a few things that needed attention.” He slides out of the chair with a smug grin. “I just spoke to Lance. The car pulled up in the service entrance. I arrange for a couple of laundry carts to be there to bring that bastard and his bitch up without anyone seeing. Today is a great day. I can’t wait to put a bullet in that asshole’s brain and be done with him.” He rubs his hands together in glee then slaps Mario on the shoulder as he passes him and takes a seat behind the desk.
I clench my fists as my heart starts to race with panic. I open my mouth to argue, but Xavier puts his arm around me and gives my hip a sharp squeeze.
“Now there, brother, let’s not talk about such things in front of Victoria. Even though she is a cold-hearted bitch who killed her lover, and I suspect her brother and his pregnant girlfriend just because they were in her way, but talking about killing her father in front of her is a low blow.”
Of course Mario thinks I killed them to get ahead. I’m happy for him to keep thinking that, because it means he is buying what I’m selling.
