Page 65 of Ruin Me With Lies
“I didn’tdoit.I s-swear.I didn’t evenwantto do it.”Her words tumble out in a frenzy of fear and desperation.“My baby girl was at the top of the transplant list.Then all of a sudden she got bumped to the bottom on some bullshit technicality.”
Her face crumples, hands shaking.
“Then some man calls me saying he can put her name back at the top if I do this one thing for him.That’s all.I d-d-didn’t ask for this.I just want my daughter to live.”
“Whatwere you asked to do?”I repeat.
She hiccups through her sobs.“T-There was a package waiting on my table when I got home yesterday.A small vial, along with instructions.I was supposed to pour it into Mr.Bellanti’s drink at today’s meeting.That’s all.But then Mr.Bellanti didn’t show, and I’ve been panicking because I don’t know what to do and I don’t even know who—”
“Where’s the vial?”
With trembling fingers, she digs into the pocket of her waist apron and pulls out a tiny glass vial of clear liquid.She thrusts it at me like it’s cursed.
Her voice cracks as she asks, “Will the Castellos kill me?”
I turn the vial over in my hand.“Even if the Castellos don’t, the people who gave you this will.To keep you quiet.So yeah… you’re screwed either way.”
Terror floods her face.
“You need to run.Fast and smart.If there’s anywhere you can lay low, go there.Now.Don’t stop for anything or anyone.Just move.And good luck.”
She muffles a sob in her fist, then with a firm resolve, she nods and bolts out of the pantry like her life depends on it.
Because it does.
I tuck the vial into my cleavage and head back to the meeting room.
When I walk in, Lucy is gone and Stefano is scowling with open impatience.
“Did you get what you needed?”he asks levelly.
“Yes.My bladder is officially relieved.”
He lifts an unimpressed brow.“The bathroom’s in the opposite direction.”
I flash him a sweet smile.“I prefer kitchen sinks.Don’t judge me.”
The look he gives me tells me his patience is at its end.He shakes his head, as if deciding not to bother with me, then brushes past me out the door.“Come on.”
Once we’re back in the car and on the move, I say, “I can’t do another meeting like that.I’m starving.”
“We don’t have another meeting.”
Oh, good.I can drop in at the Diner Hall at the villa.Or hit up Cora.
I fish out my phone and call her.
“Hey, Coraaaa,” I sing when she answers.“How’s our guy doing?”
“Hi, darling,” she says, a smile in her voice.“He’s awake now, but drenched in cold sweats.The fever is still high.Do you want to talk to him?”
“Yes, please.”
There’s a bit of shuffling, and then his raspy voice comes on the line.“Pretty eyes.”
“Hey, flirt.”I smile.“Just checking in.Sorry you’re having a rough one.If I could help you feel better, I would.”
“It would make me feel better if you come be my nurse,” he says, voice hoarse but playful.“In a nice, low-cut blouse.”
