Page 117 of Merciless Sinner

My father seems surprised by her answer, and the shadow of worry touches his face. I've never really seen him look worried before, so this is a first for me.

“I don't know what you mean,” Father says, trying to play down his emotions.

“Oh, I think you do.” Amelia laughs. “I have evidence that shows you've been checking into a friend in common,Lance Polinsky.”

I know that name. Like Artemis Bane, Lance is another black market dealer, but no one actually knows what he looks like. He’s referred to as a ghost in the underground. He only allows you to know him if he needs you.

“Your father has friends he shouldn't know,” Father says in a stiff voice. “Friends I suspect murdered the O’Ridians.”

I glance at Cillian who’s jaw is tense.

Amelia looks thrown by the accusation. “What did you find?” She challenges.

“Enough to ruin you people. My son suspects me and I didn't do it. I planned to, but your father beat me to it, didn't he?”

The truth spills from my father's lips and Amelia, stands there with a stiff smile on her face. I can't believe what I'm hearing, but it's actually happening.

“I think you know too much,” Amelia replies.

My father reaches down and I know what he's reaching for. He keeps a gun in the desk. But he's not quick enough to retrieve it.

Amelia pulls a gun from her purse first and shoots him.

The bullet lodges in the chest and as he turns, she shoots him in the back.

Both shots aren't heard. The gun has a silencer. Father falls to the ground. Hardly making a sound.

Amelia looks around. And goes to the computer. She takes a little device from her purse and downloads something. Then she goes back the way she came.Gone.

She's gone from the screen, but the shock from what I just saw and learned slams into my chest like a truck falling off a highway.

Amelia.

This was all her. Fury makes me stand, and I stare at Cillian and Dante.

“I'm calling the men to bring her and her father in,” Dante balks, then something hits me, and I glance at the time.

It's just gone midday. Amelia is with Olivia. They're at the museum.

Everything was a lie. And I don't think for one moment that Amelia wanted any sort of chance with Olivia.

So that meeting today…

It's a trap!

ChapterThirty-One

Olivia

The first part of the exhibition ends. We have twenty minutes before the second session begins. The exhibition is about the life in Pompeii before the volcano destroyed the land.

It's the type of exhibition that is filled with all sorts of fascinating information and things I love learning about. But through the whole time I've been here, I've been uncomfortable with Amelia.

I've done my best to push aside my angst, but every time I look at her it returns to me.

“Hey.” She smiles. “Do you want to run to the bathroom to freshen up? Then maybe we can grab a hot chocolate from the cafe before the next session.”

There's a hopeful look in her eyes. Not hopeful that I will say yes to the suggestion, but hopeful that the tension between us can pass.