Chapter 27
LEONORE
I’ve been on a high. There is no denying that. I’m on such a high that even Tori notices.
“I’ve just…” she says. “Never seen you smile so much.”
It’s because I keep thinking about the sex.
Maybe I am becoming addicted to the sex. It could be labeled as a bad thing, but the alternative is that I like him more than I should. But I immediately push that thought away because I don’t let myself like anyone.
“I smile,” I tell her, matter-of-factly. At least I think I do.
“Hmm, if you say so,” she says in a singsong way. Shit, maybe I don’t smile. Oh well. It’s been a week since I’ve seen him, and I’ve been riding the high. Not only do I get to work on some amazing cases, but I also sleep like a baby.
Sleep for me is sometimes hit or miss. Some days, I can sleep like a baby, and others, I toss and turn. The worst is when I get restless legs. That is so annoying.
Last night, I did struggle to sleep because my mind kept going over the conversation Silas and I had.
They found his uncle’s body, and I’m happy for him.
Everyone should be able to bury the dead and mourn their loss.
But the fact that he thinks the Neros were behind it…
Just as I start considering, I look at Tori who neatens up some folders in my office.
Last night, all I could think about was the conversation I need to have with her as well as the impending one I’m having later with Nessa, who I haven’t spoken to since I found out she was fucking my ex. She reached out via text to meet up, and I agreed.
It’s the first shift Tori has worked this week, and that insistent knowing niggles in my lower stomach.
I’m not someone who avoids confrontation, but I suppose it’s the mixture of being disappointed.
The hurt from Nessa rolls into the mix of the betrayal I feel from both her and Tori.
But unlike Nessa, when I look at Tori, she reminds me of someone I once loved dearly; my sister.
Especially in the way she holds a certain innocence about her.
I also don’t want to have to find another assistant because it was hard enough to get a good one like her. Then again, helping someone break in and steal a body from a morgue isn’t great.
“Tori,” I say, clearing my throat.
“What’s wrong?” she asks with a smile, looking over her shoulder. When she sees my expression, her eyebrows dip. “Is everything okay?”
“Take a seat,” I tell her, pointing at the chair in front of me. She turns a little paler but neatly puts the folders away and sits across from me.
“You’re making me nervous,” she says, trying to laugh it off.
“The week that you were gone, you didn’t really visit family, did you?”
The color bleaches from her face. “O-of course I did, but I’m also allowed to go wherever I like on my time off without your approval.”
I’m disappointed, and I let the silence fill the space, her squirming in the chair a dead giveaway. “A body was stolen from the morgue the last night you worked; a family member of the Vescari crew, no less.”
She turns almost gray. It’s then that I wonder if she had no idea what she was helping with. She might’ve been ushered by charming words. Promises of money and power. Whatever the reason, she’s old enough to know the consequences.
I watch as she puts the two together, realizing why Silas Vescari has been making many personal visits, regardless of his other reasons.
“Who did you let into the morgue that night?” I ask more pointedly. Her jaw drops, and her hands wring together. I wait for her to deny it, but instead, tears stream down her face.
“Are they going to kill me? I didn’t know who the body belonged to. I just—”
My heart sinks. She was used. Like a stupid girl. And I can’t even reprimand her for it, because I know it’ll eat away at her the most. We’ve all been fooled by a man, who not so quietly strips away our innocence, often not allowing us to fully trust ever again.
I think of Nessa and sigh. However, some never harden; they just keep diving into the same old pattern.
“Who was it?” I push. This doesn’t only impact Silas—it impacts me.
I need to know who would disrespect me so much and decide how I conduct business with them moving forward.
She stares, her hands still wringing together as if she doesn’t know what to say or whether she should reveal the truth. “Was it Giorgos Nero?”
More tears spill over her cheeks as she simply nods. “What do I do?” she asks quietly, her voice shaky. “I didn’t want to betray you, Leonore. I need this job. He offered me extra cash, and well… We…”
I raise my hand. I’ve got what I need and can summarize for myself. She was played for a fool.
“You even told me not to get involved with them because they’re dangerous men. But he was so sweet, and I think he loves—”
“He doesn’t,” I quickly say, immediately zapping the notion. “If Silas Vescari finds out you’re involved, you’re fucked,” I speak frankly, and her eyes grow wide.
“Will you tell him?” It bubbles from her chest.
“I should.” I know I should, but she doesn’t deserve to be punished for her stupidity. “I should also fire you.”
She looks down, ashamed. It would be easy to discard her. I’ve had to do it in the past. But knowing the conversation I have to have with Nessa later, a small part of me wants to keep at least someone familiar around.
Perhaps I’ve softened. I don’t know what’s brought it on or if it’s because she reminds me of my sister ever slightly, making me nostalgic. But I also feel pity for the girls who are used in such a way.
“You’re to stop seeing him and never speak of this to anyone,” I say, and she lifts her head, her eyes growing wide, shocked. “It’s hard to get good help these days, but I mean it, Tori—if you ever betray me again, I’ll do far worse than what Silas Vescari will.”
She hiccups and then sobs. “I’m so sorry, Leonore.”
I grow uncomfortable with her sobbing. “The money at the front still needs to be counted,” I instruct, looking down at my work. I can sense her gaze on me as she sucks up another sob.
“Thank you, Leonore. I won’t do it again. I promise.”
Promises, huh? Even though they’re almost always broken. I look up to the vacant chair once she’s gone. Maybe I am turning soft, but my world is starting to change once again, and slowly, I’m having to choose who can and can’t be in it.
I sigh, feeling exhausted as I think of Nessa.
How many chances can you give someone? I’m a fool for sticking my neck out for her, especially against Silas.
Then again, he’s after the person who killed his uncle.
Not the foolish girl who simply unlocked a door at a time she shouldn’t.
Which still technically means that the only asshole who actually broke into my office and made himself at home is Silas.
I begin work on a body, finding my happy place, where I’m not thinking about anything or anyone. The dead don’t complain. My music blasts out the outside world as I busily immerse myself in my world again, but it doesn’t last long.
“Phone call,” Tori says, pausing my music.
I look up at her, and she’s pale. She knows that I don’t take calls while I’m working.
But considering how terrified she looks, I can assume who’s on the other side of the phone.
I’d usually tell her to hang up, but I think she’ll have a fucking heart attack if I do.
I snap one of my gloves off and walk over to the phone and grab it with my hand that isn’t gloved.
“Hello.”
“When can I see you again?” No hello, just straight to the point and ever demanding. His voice is rough, and my body naturally responds to it like a calling card. It’s imagined his body against mine vividly for days.
“I’m busy working, is that all?” Tori seems to let out a breath, realizing it’s not about her, and walks out of the room. I casually lean against the wall.
“I’m standing out front,” he says. My eyebrows dip. Pushy bastard.
“I told you not to come to my work,” I remind him.
“And I am not inside. I’m outside, looking in as I wait for you to come out.”
“You are insufferable,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Yes, that may be the case, but…”
“But nothing.” I remove my other glove. “If I need you, I’ll call you.”
“But you never call,” he makes the point to say.
“Exactly,” I say in a too chipper voice as if he’s a good boy for finally getting it. “Good night, Silas.” I hang up the phone.
Much like the advice I’ve given to Tori, I can’t let myself become the stupid girl again. I can’t let my guard down around Silas. Although, whatever is between us is intoxicating, I know how this ends.
“Does he know?” Tori asks as I walk to the front and put the phone down.
I keep the lights off as I look out. I see him leaning against his car as he looks down at his phone.
He glances up, and I swear he looks right at me, but it’s impossible to see me without any lights on.
The office windows are tinted, extremely dark for a reason.
A smirk plays on his lips, and then he turns, opening his car door and getting in before he drives off.
“No,” I tell her. “And he never will.”
And I promise I’ll be taking this secret to the grave.
Nessa sits across from me the following morning.
I can honestly say I’ve never felt so distant from my best friend before.
I’m not even sure I recognize the person in front of me right now.
Her eyes seem a little vacant, and she keeps fidgeting with her fork as she looks down at the food she hasn’t touched.
We are at IHOP, where we usually meet up.
The server knows us and immediately brought out our usual orders, but I’m not in the mood for my French toast, and Nessa doesn’t seem to be in the mood for her food either.
“Are you mad?” she finally asks.
“Mad?” I repeat, letting the word sit between us. My voice is controlled, but it’s not calm. “No. I think mad is too fucking simple for how I’m currently feeling.”
Her eyes flicker. “Then what is it?”
I laugh once, short, humorless.