Page 20 of Rubies and Revenge

My eyes flick to the door.

They get the hint, peeking into the hallway before pushing it shut and leaning against it. “I wish we had music.”

I pull out an emerald dress and hold it up against my chest. Too bright. I replace it on the rack.

“So?” Pat prompts.

“The plan is to figure out a way to save the family without marrying Marcus Ass-cardi.”

They snort. “And how are we gonna do that?”

“I’m not sure yet.” I take the hard drive out of my purse and hold it out to them. “But this will help.”

“What is it?” They take it gingerly, as if it might explode in their hands.

I pull out a longer dress, more casual than the last, and immediately replace it. “The Gallo ledgers off Mother’s computer.”

Pat’s eyes bug out of their head. “And you brought this here?” they whisper-scold.

“I need to understand how we got into so much trouble.” To the point my parents don’t think we can even keep the South without a merger.

“You think the answer is in here?” They regard the hard drive with skepticism.

I grab a gold dress. The hem is short, and the fabric shimmers with the light. It’s cut low in the back, but the neckline hides most of my cleavage. Tasteful. I hang it so it faces outward on the rack. “We have three months to figure it out.”

“Do we, though?” Pat counters.

“The Capones and the Falcones will side with us. They don’t want a Gallo-Accardi merger.” I refuse to call it a marriage. “It’d put them at too much risk and cut their power in half.”

Pat tucks the hard drive back into my purse. “That won’t buy you more than a month, and you know that.”

I chew my lip. “I know.”

“You two will need to schmooze your asses off.” They lean against the door again, brows high.

“I know.”

They continue as if I haven’t spoken, as if they’re not parroting my own thoughts back to me. “Even if the Council favors you tonight, they won’t lift a finger against any Cardinal Family if Tamayo or her people are hurt.”

“They will if I’m hurt.”

They shoot me a sardonic look. “What, are you gonna follow Tamayo around for three months just in case she’s attacked?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” I dig through the clothes on the rack, searching for a skirt-blouse combo.

They cross their arms. “Good, ’cause I wouldn’t have let you.”

“What is it with people thinking theyallowme to do anything?” I grumble.

“You know what I mean.”

“I do.” I shoot them an affectionate smile. “Thanks for always protecting me.”

“Even when you’re stupid,” they amend.

I laugh. “Like last night?”

“If by last night, you mean always, then yes.”

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