Page 31 of Deal with the Devil
“Um, probably the entire week,” I answer.
She grunts, beady hazel eyes scanning me up and down. “The bathroom is next to you. Everyone shares.”
“I read that on the website. Thanks for the reminder.”
“Dinner is at seven.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I’ll get my own food?—”
“All guests eat here,” she interrupts sternly. “It is a courtesy. I cook the meals for everyone. Free of charge.”
Not wanting to offend her, I simply pop on the same polite smile I wore in the taxi. “Alright, thanks. But I have a few errands to run before then.”
“Errands?” Irene asks, lifting a nosy brow. “You are in Ragusa for… what?”
“Oh, errands. They’re…” I pause in search of a word. “Just tasks to do. Some sightseeing.”
“Sightseeing? In Ragusa?” She grunts again, this time as if I’ve told a joke. She reminds me about dinner one more time before she finally leaves me alone, snapping shut the door.
For the next half hour, I settle in as much as I can given the circumstances. I unpack some of my suitcase, setting out my toiletry bag and other possessions I’ll frequently use while I’m here for the next few days.
The truth is, I’m not even sure how long I’ll be here. It depends on what I find in Ragusa.
It’s Rafael’s hometown, the place where he said he became a self-made man. He said he grew up dirt poor here…
I check both ways before I creep from my room and make it downstairs and then outside. Irene seems distracted by the shaggy dog, who she’s bathing in another room, the door cracked ajar.
Once outside in the Sicilian sunlight, I decide to stay on foot. I’ve got sunglasses, a ball cap, and a curly auburn wig to disguise myself as much as possible.
Just more steps I’ve taken to ensure I’m discreet.
It was the same sneaking out of the Echelon Hotel. Rafael was fast asleep when I slunk out of his suite and then made it downstairs. I bribed the hotel clerk to erase the camera footage of me leaving the premises and begged him to uphold my secrecy. As far as I know, he’s kept his promise.
I find a stone bench outside some shops and use my burner phone to dial Jayla. The second she answers, I’m telling her to be quiet and listen.
“It’s me,” I say in a hushed tone. “You’re going to hear a lot of weird shit if you haven’t already. Just know I’m okay.”
“What the hell is going on?—”
“I said just listen,” I snap, interrupting her. “I had to make myself disappear. I’m doing some digging into… him. I need to know what’s going on and this was the only way.”
Jayla sucks in a sharp breath and I can just hear the outburst she’s bottling up.
“You have to play along. Pretend you’re worried sick. That you know nothing. But don’t involve Mom and Dad. Keep them out of this. Okay?”
“But… what… I don’t get what you’re…”
“There’s a lot going on,” I say cryptically. “Let’s just say I’ve been sent in a new direction. I’ll tell you more when I can. Love you.”
“Sissy, now wait a damn second?—”
I hang up, drawing a deep breath to steady myself. As much as I want to tell Jayla everything, I can’t risk it right now. It’ll not only potentially blow up what I’m doing, but it could put her in danger. Even now, even as I get ready to investigate Rafael, my gut tells me he wouldn’t hurt me.
…even if he did find out I was doing this.
But I can’t say the same about the Belluccis. About Il Diavolo, whoever he may be.
My stomach pits as doubtful thoughts fill my head about his identity. Part of me almost wonders if I’m so desperate to uncover the truth because I want to prove Rafael’s innocence to myself. I want to prove to myself that he’snothim.
