29. “Rosemary”
29
“ROSEMARY”
THREE YEARS AGO
“ H ey, Jerry, I left my sneakers at home,” I say to the one man I’m allowed to interact with, my driver. “I’ll miss the first spin class, but there’s another one right after if you don’t mind turning around so I can get them.”
“Sure, Mrs. Malatelli.”
I sit back in the car, mad at myself for forgetting the one thing that’s majorly important when you work out. I’ve been going to these classes for about a year; you’d think I’d have mastered packing a gym bag by now.
I’m glad this doesn’t affect anyone but myself.
Jerry pulls up to the back of the house so I can sneak in and grab my shoes without disrupting anyone. I’m not supposed to be here right now, which is why I was allowed to start going to classes at the gym. Antony put it so nicely when he offered them to me. I need you away from me for a couple of hours. Plus, you need to get rid of the weight you’ve gained sitting around on your ass. Spin classes will achieve both of those goals.
I head inside through the back door, keeping my steps light so as not to alert anyone when I hear voices at the end of the hall. Antony must be having a meeting in his office. Since he has no idea I’m home, I take advantage of the moment to listen to their conversation.
With the door cracked, I can hear every word they’re saying.
“What do you mean the whole shipment is gone?” Antony growls.
“It was seized right after it crossed the border, sir. We’re still looking into the details, but there’s an obvious leak in our operation.” The voice of one of Antony’s trusted advisors, Dominic, floats through the doorway. I’ve met him several times over the years. He’s one of those men who, at first glance, seems like a decent human, but when you look deeper, evil swirls in his eyes.
“I want all the information as soon as you have it. This is the second shipment in the last year to be seized. I won’t have this happening again. Find the mole.” Antony’s voice is hard, unrelenting. I would not want to be Dominic right now.
“The guns arrived at their destination as scheduled. We’re outfitting the cars now to ship them out. Should be done this week.”
Guns? I always knew Antony’s business dealings weren’t exactly legal. Me being the biggest example, but he trades in guns? And what shipment got seized? Something other than guns? This is monumental. I’ve never gotten an opportunity like this before to gather information. Now, I have to figure out how best to use it.
I’ll also need proof.
A noise startles me, and I whip around to find one of Antony’s men standing behind me. My blood freezes in my veins as nausea swirls through my stomach.
This is it.
I won’t survive after this .
The small glimmer of hope I had vanished into thin air.
I escape the house, grabbing my shoes before Tomas can tell Antony I was spying. I know there will be hell to pay when I get home, but my life is already a living hell.
It can’t get much worse.