31. Margot
Chapter 31
Margot
I stretch, arching my back as I push my arms above my head. I’ve just had the coziest nap, lulled to sleep by the patter of rain outside. Between the fireplace’s warmth and my own fatigue, I was powerless.
Tucking my hands under my cheek, I roll onto my side, watching the fat droplets sliding down the window from the stormy gray sky above. It feels like all it’s done is rain since I moved in here.
When it’s quiet like this, and all I can hear is the rain hitting the glass and the wood crackling in the fireplace, it’s not hard to pretend my life is something it isn’t. That the sins of those around me don’t exist and that everything is sunshine and roses.
Exhaling, I push up onto my elbow, peeking over the couch’s arm at the clock on the bookshelf behind the desk. Three hours have gone. One minute I was reading, half listening for the rat to make an appearance, and the next minute, I dozed off. Standing, I gather my books, moving to the shelves to slide them back into place. If I have missed them, then I’ll come back tomorrow and the day after that. I won’t stop until I figure out who I’ve been overhearing.
They’ll come back around, it’s just going to be a matter of time and I can’t live in this room while I wait for that to happen. Besides, Alma’s serving dinner at six, and I promised Massimo I’d be on time, unlike the last couple of evenings.
After tossing some trash in the can, I grab my water bottle on the way to the door, ready to head back to my room and get washed up for dinner. I swing open the door and step into the corridor, colliding with a wall of muscle.
I stumble back into the library, my arms coming up to claw at the wall in an attempt to steady myself. It doesn’t go unnoticed that whoever I’ve knocked into, doesn’t care if I land on my ass.
When I find my balance, I huff out a breath, my gaze travels from the pinstripe pants to the matching blazer and crisp white shirt open at the collar. Cold, hard eyes sweep over me before his thin lips flatten in disgust. I stiffen, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
Aldo .
This guy gives me the creeps. He has from the first day I met him. I take a step forward, expecting him to move but he doesn’t. His large frame blocks the doorway and I gulp down the sour taste of dread in my mouth. As I stare at him, he puts a small black flip phone into his pocket.
“How long have you been in there?” He inclines his head to the room behind me. His voice is clipped and controlled like he’s trying to hide something.
I glance back at the library and the daylight that’s fought its way through the clouds and into the room. It’s a stark contrast to the man in front of me. Returning my focus to him, I tilt my head, my brows tugging together, when I reply, “I don’t know. A few hours?” Why does he care?
He darts his attention to the end of the corridor then back to me before stepping closer. Something dark and sinister flickers across his features, a flash of what I can only describe as pure evil. If this was a scary movie, I’d be hiding behind my cushion.
“Stay out of the library, Margot.” There’s a hint of panic in his voice, but it vanishes when he adds, “I’d hate for something to happen because you heard something you shouldn’t.”
Hell no . Who does he think he is, trying to intimidate me in my own home ? A spark of defiance surges through me and I fold my arms, moving closer until we’re inches apart.
“That’s funny,” I say, tapping my chin. “Massimo didn’t say anything about staying out of here, which is strange, right? Considering he’s been in here with me every night this week.”
Aldo steps back, his jaw working as he grinds his teeth. “When was he in there?” he demands.
Rolling my eyes, I push past him, striding down the corridor and calling over my shoulder, “Why don’t you ask him? Or is it none of your damn business?” My pulse thrums in my ears.
This is Massimo’s world, filled with his men and enemies, both as dangerous as each other. I should be more careful . He might have promised to protect me, and I know he will—we’ve grown closer since the night in the woods—but what happens if they take him out? My chest constricts at the thought, and an emotion I can’t name rushes through me. Someone in his home is plotting against him, but will Massimo be victorious? I honestly don’t know.
On my way to my room, I replay the interaction with Aldo. The whole exchange was off . Why was he so on edge? Is he the man that I overheard outside of the library the other day? No. That would be the ultimate betrayal to Massimo. And make Aldo a dangerous enemy to have . Did I make a mistake by being dismissive?
Now that Massimo and I have reached some semblance of peace, maybe I should tell him what I’ve overheard. I might not have many specifics, but what I do have could be the missing puzzle piece in their investigation and help them find whoever is trying to take him out.
But what if he doesn’t believe me?
I gnaw on my bottom lip, torn between telling him and waiting. If I hold off and something happens, I don’t know how I’d live with that. But if I do tell him and he dismisses me, then I find more later, will he listen to me? Sighing, I force the worry aside and focus on dinner.
One more day , I decide. If I don’t find anything else out, I’ll tell him what I know.
That’s all I can do.