Page 11 of Unlawful Lies
Who knows how long it will be until the inevitable happens? An actual snap and a step taken down a path that neither one of them will be able to erase.
Perhaps it’s Father’s plan all along. I’d never know. He never let me in.
But if he ever found out about my deal with Arden?—
“I think you will say whatever it takes to calm my temper when I can assure you, it’s not your job. I am also fully capable of dealing with being talked down to.” Nicola stops in her frantic pace and draws in a deep breath, holding it in her lungs to the count of five before she exhales slowly. “It’s nothing new for me. Sometimes, it just feels like too much.”
“You’re not the only one who has to deal with shit like that,” I assure her.
She glances at my cheek and the throbbing skin that has surely turned the mottled colors of a bruise at this point.
“I also think,” she adds, turning her face to the sun, “that if things blow up between our families, it will ruin all of us. What can we do to make sure it won’t happen?”
Threads weave together in a tapestry of brilliance, and I narrowly resist reaching over my shoulder to pat myself on my back. “I’ll help you clear your father,” I offer. “We’ll find the painting together.”
Fuck the painting. If the old man says it’s missing, it’s missing, but I highly doubt it’s stashed away somewhere in the mansion.
Arden is a drunk, but he’s got money. He doesn’t need the painting.
The search, however, will be a great help to me personally. On multiple levels.
I fully expect her to laugh at the suggestion. I don’t expect it to hurt as much as it does.
“You?”
I bristle. “Anyone better?”
“I’d rather handcuff myself to a clown in the circus than rely on you for anything. Sorry, Eddie,” she finishes. “The answer is no. There’s no painting. And there is no we.”
Nicola
The ludicrousy of his offer strikes me so sharply it’s hard to move, and for a long moment, I only stare at Edward like he’s grown a second head. He…wants to help me?
I want to tell him it’s not my problem, the missing painting. Except it is. If Daddy takes personal offense to the accusation, he’ll make my life, all our lives, a living hell.
He’ll launch a counterstrike against the Balestras and obliterate their truce.
Not to mention, I really don’t want to work with Edward. Just like I don’t want to like him. And his offer reeks of subterfuge, and I’m the only one doing the colluding here.
If Daddy ever finds out I snubbed the offer to get closer to Edward, things will take a turn, and I’m pulling at every option my mind offers, looking for the one that will hurt less.
“I swear on my honor.” Edward holds up two fingers pointed at the sky. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help you and clear your father. I know it wasn’t you who took the painting. I know better than anyone else. Giovanni won’t stop until he finds it and the quickest way to get scrutiny off of you will be to search.”
“Ah, so you’re the one who took it.”
Edward snorted, his brow furrowing and shade deepening the wrinkles below his hairline. “No, little fox. It wasn’t me.”
“For all I know, maybe it was your brilliant plan to kiss me stupid while your father makes a move on mine. Then you rush in like a black knight to save the day and make me trust you.” I lean in closer. “Newsflash, Eddie. You and your whole damn clan can go take a flying jump. I’ll help Daddy on my own.”
It won’t look good for me to appear eager. I damaged my reputation badly enough with the kiss, and how I wanted it, liked it, almost let it go too far.
I stay to the outskirts of the garden maze rather than heading down moss and rhododendron paths. Heaven forbid we make our way back to the arbor or the extremely romantic fountain at the heart.
Having Edward here is a bad idea. Refusing his offer is worse. Do I trust myself to play my part without losing control and running it?
I glare at him over my shoulder and almost miss my next step.
Do I trust him to keep his hands to himself? I might be able to pull this off if he stays a foot away at all times.