Page 15 of Scarred Sins
Time stops around me.
At least, that’s what it feels like.
Slowly, I move my eyes from my father, settling them on my mother. Her expression is stone cold, eyes void of any emotion. However, tears stream down her face, and it’s a rare sight. I’ve never seen Noelle Cambpell cry, and the fact that she’s in tears, angrily letting them fall, means that it’s actually happening.
“He’s running for office,’’ I repeat. “And how does that correlate to me scouting out a venue?”
“Now that he’s returned from his overseas trip and is starting his official campaign, he’s hosting a banquet of sorts. A lot of politicians will be there, and it’s definitely a grand event.’’
My brows narrow in suspicion.
“Which is why you’ll be the pianist for the evening,’’ he starts explaining further. “It’s the only way for you to go unnoticed, and you’ll be our eyes and ears. Your mother and I can’t go because we’ll be recognized.’’
Memories start flashing behind my eyes. The worst year my family has ever gone through. Mom’s screams of raw agony, the heartbreak she endured. Aunt Jane’s mutilated, humiliated body and Dad’s urge to set the entire world on fire.
What followed was a bloodbath, bullets, and too many dead bodies to count.
Nelson Adams isn’t the one who killed my aunt, but he is severely involved. And he’ll pay for it.
“I’ll go,’’ I responded, determined. “I won’t fail you.’’
Mama intertwines her fingers with mine, giving me a squeeze. Her face betrays nothing; the best poker face in the family goes to Mom. However, I know she’s hurting. Jane was her baby sister, and she couldn’t protect her.
Nor her niece, Luna.
“Of course you won’t,’’ Dad responds. “You’re my son, after all. However, getting close to him is next to impossible. Your target is his wife. Befriend her.’’
I lift a brow. “You want me to befriend a girl in her forties?”
“She’s twenty.’’
My eyes bulge. “Excuse me? Well, I shouldn’t be surprised that the sleazebag married a twenty-year-old.’’
He nods in agreement. “And word on the street is she didn’t marry for love. She could know something. So, try befriending her and getting intel.’’
“And what will we do about the wife?”
“If it’s true that she didn’t marry him for love and that she’s a victim too, then we’ll get her out. She’s innocent in all of this. Don’t treat her like the enemy unless you’re certain she’s involved.’’
“Understood.’’
“After dinner, you and I will go to the basement. I need you in the best shape, mentally and physically. The banquet is in two weeks.’’
Suddenly, Mom stands up and grabs Dad’s hand, urging him to help her set the table for dinner before Aria returns home. She’s back to her happy, cheerful self, but I know it’s nothing but a facade.
I won’t just take down Nelson Adams. I’ll bring him to his knees and let Mama decide his fate.
After all, she deserves it the most.
Since I’ll be staying in New York for the foreseeable future, I relocated all of my equipment from Long Grove. Instead of intruding on Mom and Dad, I decided to go to my penthouse. Besides, I ran into them too many times while they were getting…handsy, and I’d rather not have a repeat of that.
The massive amount of information Dad gave me made me forget about my butterfly. Well, technically, I couldn’t spend hours watching her through the cameras. Imagine my surprise when I finally get some free time to check up on her and see that she left Long Grove, too.
It doesn’t take me long to find where she’s staying. It’s not far from my apartment; it’s within walking distance. She has a roommate, Wren. From what I can tell, Wren is the daughter of one of the politicians, which just gives me another opening. Wren’s father is going to be attending the banquet, too.
I can’t describe the happiness that blooms in my chest. That godforsaken town, Long Grove, is too far away, especially now that my revenge is slowly rising on the horizon. The fact that Blair chose her hometown instead of any other place just proves my theory. We were made for each other.
Blair is mine, and mine alone.
