I laugh. “If you get a chance to drop by, I’ll introduce you to Klein. I think you’ll love her. She’s very nice.”
“Nice,” Elizabeth repeats. “So. What’s going on? I know you didn’t invite me to gossip about your fiancée.”
“This is why I like you. You never waste my time.”
The door opens, and the server brings out three plates—the sea bream for me, some fancy maguro slices arranged to look like roses for Elizabeth, and basic steamed lobsters with butter sauce—specially done for Tolyan, because that isn’t on the menu.
I wait until the server’s gone. “I need a favor. You use a special team for running background checks, right? I need an introduction.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Doesn’t your family have its own? Or the firm?”
“Yes, but they haven’t found anything.”
“Who are you trying to look into? A client?”
I shake my head. “Kenna Miller. An employee at Huxley & Webber.”
Her background report came back too clean, and I don’t like it. I saw her arguing with people who stopped her in the lobby, ostensibly to “collect what she owes them,” which first got my attention. So I had her investigated because I don’t trust that she’s just an innocent blonde with a burn scar on her back, exactly like the girl who saved Ares from the fire, and justhappensto work at the firm.
Although Kenna turned out not to be Ares’s savior, something about the situation still feels wrong. She hasn’t worked at the firm for long. And if Ares hadn’t found Lareina when he did, Kenna might’ve taken credit for saving him back then and wormed her way into the family. We would’ve been more welcoming and kinder to her—and let our guard down.
That’s exactly what Mom would want. And she’s careful enough to ensure Kenna’s background is as clean as possible.
I want to use Elizabeth’s team because there’s nothing she doesn’t know—or can’t find out. She’s very thorough about vetting those she hires and partners with due to the huge sums of money her foundation handles. If there are any skeletons in Kenna’s closet, her team will discover them.
“My team may not find anything either,” Elizabeth says.
“I still want to try. If this doesn’t pan out, then okay.”
“I’ll have the team lead text you if he’s interested in taking on the project. I can’t guarantee anything. They hardly ever accept new clients.”
“That’s fine. I appreciate it.”
“And if they say okay, could you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“I need you and your fiancée to come to the charity opera a few weeks from now. I can send you the details, but the organizers are having trouble selling tickets. Their PR effortshave been less than stellar. I’m helping because they’re trying to get some relief to the latest hurricane victims in Florida and Georgia.”
“That’s fine,” I say even though operas aren’t my thing. “I’ll let my family know too.”
“You’re a gem. Your assistant is lucky to have you.”
I shake my head. “The lucky one is me.”
Chapter Eighteen
Ailee
The phone buzzes a few more times, but I ignore it. There’s absolutely no need to read Mom’s texts—half will be making excuses for herself and half will blame me for not being more understanding. Not a single one will make me feel better.
My belly rumbles.I should probably eat something.Some food might improve my mood. At least I won’t suffer from low blood sugar.
Josh’s kitchen is fully stocked, which for some reason I find surprising. I toast an English muffin and munch on it with cream cheese and strawberry jam.
The discreet white panel next to one of the fridges beeps. I look at it, wondering what’s going on. This area probably doesn’t get door-to-door salespeople.Did I trigger the security system?
The full-color screen shows a couple of women.
