Series: Penny Dee
Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
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.