Chapter 3
I don’t want to think about Neil, so I head back to the Ferro mansion and sneak inside. It’s still early. The only people up and dressed are the servants. They see me and say nothing. It must be strange to live like a statue, day in and day out, with no one but other staff actually acknowledging that you’re human. I can’t help it. I smile at the butler guy who’s always busy, racing off somewhere. He inclines his head in greeting, but doesn’t slow.
After he passes, he turns back. “Do you need something, Ms. Raymond?”
I smile and shake my head. “No, it’s just nice to see you.” I look at him. This man has been a staple in Bryan’s life for years. I wonder if he knows Bryan’s secret—because nothing escapes him, at least not when we were younger. I remember getting stern looks from him when we were too young and doing things too loudly while Bryan’s mom wasn’t around. But the guy never ratted us out.
“Likewise, Ms. Raymond. Tell Master Ferro that if he needs assistance, he can ask anything of me.” His eyes bore into mine for a moment before he looks away.
He knows.
I nod and go into hyper-girlie drive. Before I can stop myself, I launch my body at him and wrap my arms around the old guy, hugging him in a sloppy bear-style hug. He stiffens with shock and then pats my back. “People will tell you that it will be all right. Over the next few months you’ll hear it again and again, but loss doesn’t work that way. Things don’t go back to normal, but life does go on. Talk to him about it while you have the chance.”
My jaw drops. “What? That’d be so mean. I can’t—”
“It’s not my place, miss, but if you were my daughter that’s what I’d tell you. Dark times are coming, if this man is your ray of light, soak in as much sun as you can, while you can.”
I think I understand what he means, so I bob my head up and down slowly. Talking about death with someone who’s dying seems mean. We’ll end up discussing all the things we wanted to do, but never had the chance. My throat tightens at the thought and my eyes water. “Thank you.”
“Any time, Ms. Raymond.” He bows his head to me as if I were a queen, and turns to hurry away.
I don’t like his suggestion, but part of it calls to me. What if we did talk about it? I shake my head and clench my hands. No! I don’t want to! This isn’t fair and I can’t just accept that I’m going to lose him—not after we finally found each other again. Not after all this time.
By this time I’m on Bryan’s side of the mansion, but I stop short of the door. My intention was to tiptoe back to Bryan’s room, but I’m caught by the Ferro I fear most—Sean. He’s leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. He resembles his mother, every unspoken accusation clearly visible in his eyes. His dark clothes suit him—leather jacket, blue jeans, black shirt, and shitkicker boots. “You and I have something to discuss.”
I mean to shove past him. “I have nothing to say to you.”
Sean unfolds his arms, and steps in front of me. He’s silent and lethal, with crazy vibes radiating off of him like microwaves. Ding! “Well, I have something that you need to hear—about a man named Victor.” My breath catches in my throat as my hand presses to my heart. Sean pulls me by the crook of my elbow away from Bryan’s door. “Yeah, I thought you knew something about that. The papers are saying one of his men killed him, but the cops are nosing around, asking me questions about a fucking drug lord. I don’t like cops and I dislike questions even more. So, tell me, how is it that they tracked you this far? What did you leave behind?”
I laugh, but it comes out way too high. “You think I killed him?” I’m pressing my fingers to my chest, blinking, with my jaw hanging open. Although it’s a stellar performance, something gives me away. Sean can see it.
He steps into my space in a threatening way. His voice rumbles, “I know you killed him.”
“No you don’t,” I snap, trying to push past him again, but Sean won’t let me move. He blocks the hall with his massive body.
Leaning in close to my face, he whispers softly, “If I know, my mother knows, and you do not want dirty footprints leading straight to her front door. You need to part ways with Bryan and get out of here before they figure it out.”
I shake my head and bite my bottom lip. I probably look like a stubborn brat, but I’m not leaving Bryan.
Sean’s eyes lock with mine and his voice drops to a lethal whisper. “I can make you disappear.”
Something wakes up inside of me, that same protective trait that made me slice Victor’s throat in the first place. My spine straightens and I get in his face. “Likewise.”
After a thoughtful moment, the man actually laughs. Sean rubs his jaw with his hand. I can’t tell if he’s amused or thinks I’m crazy. He finally asks, “Why’d you do it?”
“Why do you think? The man was a murdering rapist. Let’s just say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Accidents happen and I wasn’t going to let anything else happen to my friend. She’s the only family I have left.” I suck in air, trying to puff up so I’m not so small, but compared to Sean Ferro, I’m a toothpick.
His blue eyes shift to the side before he runs his hands through his hair. “So, you protect your family and let me protect mine. Walk away. Don’t pull Bryan into this.”
“Into what? Dead people don’t pull anyone into anything.”
“Victor Campone is alive.”