Page 73 of Unexpected Complication

“She had the audacity to think she knew me better than I know myself. Thought I’d be a better man with her in my life. She even got pregnant—although I wasn’t certain it was mine.”

“So, you killed her?”

“No, I did the one thing I knew she couldn’t handle.”

“Which was?”

“I forgot her. Eliminated her from my mind and life, as if she never existed.”

“And?”

“She saved me the trouble and killed herself. I knew she would. Far easier than a hit.” He glanced at me, not a trace of emotion on his face. “I took it off her neck myself as a reminder never to trust—even a pretty face.”

I felt a sliver of ice run down my spine. Nonchalantly, I slipped my hand into my pocket, palming the small button I carried at all times in case of an emergency. It was undetectable, and if I pressed it, Sean would appear and handle either the aftermath or join me in a fight.

“Are you trying to tell me something, Orson?” I asked, keeping my voice calm and low.

“I have a confession. Rex suggested to me you were the one causing me so many problems.”

My finger hovered over the button, my mind racing. “I see. And you agree with his statement? You think I’m fucking with you?”

He waved his hand. “I admit, I gave it some thought.”

I drew myself up to my full height. “And your decision?”

He clapped his hands, his odd laugh echoing loudly in the room filled with pieces of stolen memories. “Look at your face! If I were one of your victims, I’d know my life was about to end. Murderous. Perfectly murderous.” He reached over, his cold fingers gripping my arm. “His thoughts weren’t without merit, except for one thing.”

“Which is?”

“I’m the one who brought you in. I’m the one who made the decision to have you with us. My problems began before you were here. You found the mole and eliminated him. You have stopped some of the problems that keep cropping up.”

Just as I thought—his ego was overriding his common sense.

“I haven’t figured out who planted him, though.”

Or if they’re working for or against me.

“But I think you will.”

My finger relaxed, and I pulled my hand from my pocket, crossing my arms. “I will.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“I’m sure you are.”

When I was back in my room, Sean came in, arching an eyebrow at me. “How’s the head, Tony?”

“Fine.”

“You’re feeling all right?”

I knew what he was asking. He knew exactly where I had been. “Everything’s good.” I arched my eyebrow back at him. “Everything is in working order.”

“Good to hear.” Then he grinned. “You put on quite the show last night.”

I sat down, leaning back and going into full Tony mode. I ranted about the mole. The inability of finding out who planted him. Cursed and swore I’d find the person. Ordered Carlo to dig more. He grinned as he opened two laptops, one they couldn’t see, and started typing. They’d see him comparing dates, shipments, files.

What he was really doing was checking on the camera, planting the next bug, and siphoning off some more of Orson’s money.