Page 60 of House of Lies
“Somebody killed my father, and Ermanno claims it wasn’t him. This is a convoluted situation, Fiona. I advise you to tell me the truth.”
“He never discovered I had twins, at least not to my knowledge.”
“Did he ever abuse you?”
“What?” Her eyes widen in shock. “No, he didn’t.”
“Then where have you been these past months?”
“As you already know, I was on a cruise. When I returned, I had to organize charity balls, dinners, and birthday parties. It keeps me busy.”
Of course. Ermanno kept his wife occupied enough to divert her attention from his actions. She’s utterly superficial.
“I’ve thought about you, figlio, every moment of my life. I never forgave myself for giving you away.”
I lean forward, my muscles tense.
“If you believe your regret will prevent me from killing you if necessary, you’re mistaken. I am not your son. You don’t even know my name.”
“I tried to contact you. I wrote to Alexei countless times, but he never responded. He never allowed me to see you.”
There must be a less confusing way to navigate these waters. I just don’t see it yet. This entangled web of lies I have trapped myself in clouds my mind. One of these people knows the truth. I just can’t tell which one. Ermanno’s words contradict everything my uncle told me, and Fiona is now confirming his claims. He’s dead. There’s no reason for her to continue defending him.
“I will take your word for it, Fiona, but it makes no difference. You’re the woman who abandoned me, and I’m going to find out who killed my father. We’re done here.”
“No,” she gasps, disbelief etched on her face. “I’ve waited so many years to meet you. Please, at least tell me your name.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Fiona. Take her away,” I instruct Dmitri.
“Yes, sir.”
“What will you do with me?”
“I will ensure your safety, although you hardly deserve it.”
“This way, ma’am.”
“I’ll always be here for you if you want to talk or have questions. I understand I’m a stranger to you and that nothing I say can erase my past actions. But I am your mother.”
“No.” I shake my head. “You’re just a pawn, Fiona. One I won’t hesitate to discard if it suits me.”
I have a gift of making women look at me with that broken look on their faces as if I’m the devil. Dmitri will escort her home so she can keep herself distracted. I will place a surveillance team on her and assign guards to protect her. I have no further use for her, and I don’t care if she will tell Ludovic the truth. There’s no more hiding.
My new phone rings on the table.
“What do you have for me?”
“I believe she boarded a bus to Atlanta, sir. We have her on surveillance, but then she vanishes. However, another woman purchased a ticket to Atlanta.”
“Why should I care about some random woman going to Atlanta, Domenico?”
“I know it’s not much, sir. But your wife entered a restroom and never came out. She disguised herself. I have men going there right now.”
That makes much more sense now. I need to fucking sleep. I can’t afford for my employees to be sharper than me now.
My wife.
Domenico is right about one thing. She is mine.