Page 68 of The Silent Hour

"Trying." I crossed the room and handed her the tumbler. "Neat, just how you like it."

She took it and sat on the edge of our bed, crossing one leg over the other. "Do you want to start, or should I?"

I leaned against the dresser. "You go."

Julia took a sip. "I've been thinking about Lila."

There it was. I waited.

"I don't like her."

My brow rose. "I'd gathered that."

"No." She pointed at me with her glass. "Don't be cute. I'm serious."

"I'm listening."

Her expression shifted, some of the irritation giving way to thought. "I didn't like what happened yesterday. I don't like the way she looks at you."

"Neither do I."

"But..." She trailed off.

That caught my attention. "But?"

"I keep replaying it, and something isn't sitting right with me."

I straightened slightly. "Funny you should say that."

Her eyes narrowed. "What happened?"

"Cortez has a daughter."

Julia stared at me. "Okay?"

I took a drink. "Lila Marino."

She stopped with her glass halfway to her mouth. "What the fuck?"

"That was roughly my reaction." "His daughter?"

"Apparently."

"Since when?"

I shrugged. "Usually, when a man and a woman..."

"Ethan."

I made a crude gesture with my hands.

"You know that isn't what I meant! “she laughed.

"It got you to smile."

"You're an idiot."

"An exceptionally well-paid one."