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“One step at a time, Cesare. Allow the cat to play with his food before he eats.”
My phone vibrates and I note my brother on the other end and snap,
“Leo. How can I help you?”
“Just checking in. What’s your position regarding the girl?”
“I’m moving her in today.”
“Good. Dom and Flora are all set. We need you to wrap this one up.”
“Consider it done already.”
I’m curious and say quickly, “Have you read the will yet?”
Leonardo’s part in our plan is to get eyes on our father’s will before we head to the reading next week. Knowing my father, there is a nasty surprise waiting for us, and it’s imperative we discover what it is so we can deal with it before the event.
“I should have eyes on it later on tonight.”
Leonardo is my older brother. Domenico is younger than me and even though we were set against one another, we have somehow come together to defeat our stepmother, Diana. Domenico used her sister to steal the money that Diana stole from our father and the funds are now in place to run the Ortega empire. Diana is pissed and wants her money back, but Dom has hidden it away so she can never find it. My mission is to bring Mario down and Abigail is the perfect weapon for that.
“Keep us informed.”
I say with a sigh and Leo says snappily,“I can’t wait to see those fuckers burn.”
“Me too brother.”
I cut the call because even though we put our rift behind us, we’re still not at the stage where we make polite conversation. I have Cesare for that, so I push back my seat and say firmly, “We should get this day started. The devil dances on the sabbath while the innocent rest.”
Cesare laughs out loud and follows me into the house.
CHAPTER8
ABIGAIL
Church was the usual photo opportunity. The place to be seen for any respectable family keeping up appearances. The fact Jefferson was sitting in the pew behind, as usual, was inconvenient and I managed to ignore him for the best part of the service by staring straight ahead and pretending to be engrossed in my hymn book.
We didn’t hang around afterward and are now making our way to Seagrasses for the next hurdle to jump.
Brunch.
“You were quite rude to Jefferson back there.”
Mom snaps as soon as we take our seats in the car.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I say it politely, but her eyes narrow.
“Have you fallen out?”
“Yes.”
I don’t try to dress it up because it may make it easier when I break her heart later today.
“Then fix it.”
“Excuse me.” I blink in surprise because she hasn’t even asked why. Apparently, nothing can be bad enough to steer me away from the path she has set me on.
“You heard me, Abigail. Whatever Jefferson has done to annoy you is inconsequential. We have an agenda to adhere to and unity in our families must be preserved.”
