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“Perfect. I need you to do this for a resident I know. Sit, listen, and give her a little push to think about her options. Can you do this for me?”
She lifts her green eyes to look at me. I see a new determination in her gaze. Ah, she thinks she’s failed me and Ny. Good, that means she’ll never fail us again. Mission accomplished.
“Yes, I can do that.”
“Good, her name is Carleen Mitchell. Jace has the name and address of the coffee shop she likes to go to for breaks. I want to know where her head is, so you’ll report to me after every encounter. I’ll let you know when you’re done.”
“Thanks for the opportunity.”
“I’m not done. My mother isn’t getting any younger. I want to send you back to Italy to keep her company and watch over her. When this job is done, I’ll send you there.”
Her face tightens for a moment. I know this might seem like a punishment, but it’s not. She’s one of the best and Ny trusted her enough to take her around Ma. That means a lot.
“May I ask a question?”
“Sure, why not?”
“How did you know I knew?”
“Ny can’t lie to me. I went looking for the footage myself when I figured out the ring was stolen. I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
“All systems involving my and my family’s businesses have been fitted with time-stamp signatures. Anyone who enters, whether from within or hacking from outside, leaves a fingerprint so to speak. I traced yours.”
“Damn. She’s right, you’re always thinking ten steps ahead. That’s genius.”
I stand and move toward the door, stopping to place a hand on her shoulder. “Never forget who we are. We’re great friends to have but enemies you never want to make.”
I squeeze her shoulder and wave for Jace to follow as I leave.
* * *
Nyla
I stand out on the deck staring at the mountains, lost in thought. It’s like I’ve been so distracted lately. It doesn’t help that I’m being pulled in a million directions. The dolls, Nonno, Ava, Gwen, Lizzy, I’ve been needed by everyone for this or that.
I’m not a careless person. I know I didn’t misplace my ring. Someone had to have taken it, but who would be that stupid? I growl when her face pops into my head.
“I’m going to kill that bitch.”
“It’s been taken care of. He’s already commissioned a new ring. He’s not really mad at you,” Jace whispers in my ear as he comes up behind me and wraps me in his embrace.
“Then why is he treating me like he is?”
“You don’t see it, do you?”
“See what?”
He snorts. “You wouldn’t because he doesn’t want you to. That make sense?”
I turn in his embrace. “Can you not speak in riddles.”
“He’s about to collapse the illusion. He’s setting the last pieces in place to lift the curtain. He’s about to end this one way or another.”
“But why push me out?”
“It’s Gio. It makes sense to him. My guess would be there’s something you can’t know so when he blows it all up, your reaction is what he needs.”
“Fucking puppet master.”
