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“Help you find out who?” I cried. “How am I supposed to do that? All I have for you is that sketch, Sunny.”
“Hear me out, beautiful. The person who dropped me off that bridge has no reason to believe I survived a fall from that height. I never met or heard of that doctor you took me to, so chances are my crew hasn’t either. When we tumbled onto the doorstep, Liam contained the situation. That’s why you weren’t allowed to leave. It’ll hit the news soon: Sole Bellisario is missing and his family is asking anyone with answers to come forward.”
“You want your enemies to believe they got away with killing you.”
He inclined his head. “If they do, they’ll finally make a move. If this was a plot to take over my crew, the rat’ll step forward and offer to lead in this time of crisis. He doesn’t have to hide behind my back any longer. With me out of the way, the path to the throne is clear. And if he has one-fourth of the Merchant business under his control—”
“—that puts him in a strong place to force your brothers and sister into giving him a seat at the table. If not blow the whole fucking table to bits.”
We shared a grim look.
“I won’t get a chance like this again,” Sunny continued. “If I can’t trust my guys, then I need someone I can trust who has an incentive to keep me around, scoping out who’s sad to see me gone and who’s leaking crocodile tears.”
“And again, why would that someone be me? I’m a homeless fashion designer who met you three days ago.”
“Because once I’ve got the shit-stain traitor in my hands, I’ll send you off with a kiss and half a million dollars. Cash.”
I knocked his beer over, jerking back. It crashed to the choked noise strangling my throat. “Half a million?”
“Not enough? Three-quarters of a mill, then.”
“Sunny!” This was not real. What he was saying couldn’t be true.
“Obviously, I won’t leave you unprotected on the streets while you’re hunting this guy, so you and Sienna will stay here. Rent-free. My cooks are at your disposal. My housekeepers at your beck and call. My cars yours to drive when the mood strikes you. We’ll come up with a cover for why you’re stepping into my life.”
I threw up my hands. “Wait, slow down.”
“Unfortunately, my place is a one-bedroom,” Sunny mused, turning his face to the sky. “This means we’ll have to share, but I’m down to snuggle if you are.”
My withering look would’ve burned the smirk off a lesser man. That man wasn’t Sunny.
“You have four bedrooms,” I said. “I got the tour.”
“Oops. I must’ve miscounted.”
Heaving a sigh, I slowed my racing mind, sorting through panic, surprise, disbelief, and amazement flooding me at once. “Sunny, I want to help you. Truly. But I can’t do what you’re asking. Infiltrating a gang? Mixing with dirty money and illegal activity? You have no idea...” My nails pierced my palm. “No idea what I’ll lose if the next anonymous tip leads to me ambushed and arrested. My family depends on me.
“I can’t do it,” I said, meaning it with every fiber of my being. “No.”
“Angel—”
“I’m starting to pick up on you getting free with the pet names when you want something.”
His grin was wolfish. “Just imagine what I’ll call you when I get it.”
“Do you honestly think this is the best time to flirt with me?” I asked, though my cheeks were boiling, conjuring up all the possible things he could want from me, and the naughty things he’ll whisper in my ear as he got them.
Sunny fell serious. “Three-quarters of a million, Kenzie. A roof over your head. Sleeping with both eyes closed. And you wouldn’t be alone. My family and I will have your back every minute of every day.”
“Why can’t one of your brothers or your sister do it?” I tried. “Why does anyone have to? All they have to do is wait, right? The guy who tries to step in your place is the guy who did it.”
“It sounds that simple, but it isn’t. There’s still a chance it’s not one of my guys, and eventually, someone will have to step up either way. You can find out which it is. You’ve got good instincts about people.”
My lips trembled. “How can you say that after meeting my ex-boyfriend?”
“Because you didn’t give in to him, Kenzie, and you got away. For all the women who’ve told him no, there are women who’ve said yes, believing they’re helping out the man they love. He wouldn’t continue running that con if there wasn’t a strong success rate. But not you.” He stroked my cheek. “When he peeled back the mask, you shoved that cunt out of your life. Some time with my crew, you’ll see who is real and who’s fake—and you won’t have history with them clouding your judgment.
