Page 31 of Palace of Betrayal

Leo could see the rage building in his former lover and knew this could turn into a hissy fit. “When you know, you know.”

“How do you know she didn’t plant the bomb?”

Leo stood, his temper and patience going in opposite directions. “Chelsea, I’m willing to offer my resources to keep you safe out of respect for our history and friendship but don’t test me. Bebe is important to me and if you make such outrageous accusations again, I won’t be someone you wish to know.”

Knowing when she was beat, at least for now, Chelsea backed down. “I’m sorry, León. I’m just frightened, and I feel so alone.”

Well used to this kind of behaviour he nodded. “I understand and trust me. I’ll look into everything and find out what’s happening. I’ll have two of my men drive you home and stay with you.”

Chelsea stood. “Thank you.”

Going up on tiptoes she kissed his cheek, and it took everything in him not to wipe the evidence of her kiss away. “No problem. Wait here and someone will come and get you.”

Leo held his hand out for Bebe to go ahead of him. She did but then stopped at the door. “Try not to worry, Chelsea. Leo will get to the bottom of this, I promise.”

Opening the door, he watched as Chelsea nodded, knowing she really wanted to snarl at Bebe. Chelsea was the epitome of a social climber, cunning, smart, and aware of her own body and what it could get her. What she didn’t understand was that he’d only allowed her to climb as far as he’d wanted and now her time was done. Out of respect for her family though, and the past fun they’d shared, he’d keep his word and make sure she stayed safe.

He hurried to his apartment and put in a call to his head of security, who were all hand-picked by him and instructed them to stay with Chelsea at her flat. If she left the apartment or had any visitors, he wanted to know.

Bebe had headed straight for the bedroom, and he found her sitting on his couch when he entered, shutting the door behind him.

“Well, that was unexpected.”

He sank down beside her, the exhaustion of the last few days catching up with him. He laid a hand on her thigh as he rested his head against the back of the couch. “The last three days have been unexpected.” Lifting his head, he looked at her and saw the pinched worry between her brows. “What is it?”

“Too many variables. I don’t like it.”

“No, me either.”

“Leo, can I ask who identified Alain?”

He sat up and angled his body toward her. “My uncle, but I’m told that his body was very badly burned. What are you getting at?”

“And the others? Who identified Chelsea and Atticus as being on board?”

“Dental records.”

“And yet we know for certain that Chelsea is alive and possibly Atticus too. Unless he joined the yacht later on before the explosion.”

“So, someone set it up to look like they all died.”

“Yes, but then why leave Chelsea alive? It makes no sense.”

León stood, pacing to the window. “Unless she was meant to die too. She’s well used to cocaine and champagne. It shouldn’t have knocked her out for so long. Maybe she was drugged, and they thought she’d overdose.”

“But why not make sure, and why leave her body in her home? Surely the police checked her house as part of the investigation.”

“Yes, they should have. None of this makes sense.”

“Can I be honest with you, Leo?”

He spun, his hands on his hips. “Yes of course.”

Bebe walked toward him her body graceful and fluid, distracting him from the nightmare his life was becoming. “My first thought was that Alain was involved, but when he was killed that kind of fell on its arse. Then I considered your uncle and if I’m honest, I still do. Now Chelsea and Atticus are involved but I don’t know how. I’m certain your father isn’t involved, and he was never really a suspect.”

Leo didn’t want to believe his family were involved but he was aware enough to realise he was too close to make that call. “What about Brody and Albin?”

Bebe nodded and lifted her hair off her neck and tied it into a knot on her head as she walked around the room. She was a pacer like him, the movement allowing her mind time to think.