Page 26 of Fractured
Sebastian looks up quickly, and jumps in his seat like he’s shocked we are all sitting at the table.
“Oh, right. I have been working on it since we were in New York. I have to look into their personal bank accounts to see if they have made any outstanding purchases above and beyond what they normally would. Or even if they’re hiding the money somewhere else.”
My father turns to Carlos and asks, “Any news on the Lawyer’s son?”
Carlos sits up straighter and says, “Yeah, he’ll be back in town next week. Jasper said he’s got an envelope. He’s not opening it; he’ll hand it off to us when we meet.”
“Agreed. This stays at this table.” My father taps the hardwood surface with his finger.
“I want a detailed list of what they buy and sell, where they do it, and with whom, if you can find it,” he says to Sebastian. “Ineed every detail you can manage to uncover.”
Sebastian just nods and keeps on typing.
We’ve been here for hours; James has come and gone with refreshments and a tray of food. The thump of the music has stopped, and I look at my watch. It’s going on 11:00 PM. The dancing must be over. My father reads a text from my mother and informs me she will drive the girls to my place.
Danny is hanging back, waiting for Sebastian and my father so he can take them home. Sebastian wants to head home and set up his computer system; there is only so much he can do here on the laptop. He’ll meet us back here in the morning for the wedding.
I stand up, stretching my shoulders, “I’m about done. I’m heading up to my room if no one else needs me?”
My father stands as well. “It’s late. I’ve been away from your mother long enough. I say we table this till after the wedding.” He looks at Sebastian and says, “Unless something important pops up, then call a meeting.”
As we wait by the elevator, we mumble our goodbyes to my father and brother. Christopher and I are in the elevator with Carlos lounging against a wall and gazing off into space. We're all too exhausted to talk at this point.
We reach our floor in silence, exit the elevator and head to our suite. I leave the boys to gather in the living room, and I go to my room to change into something comfortable before meeting the boys back out there. Chris throws his suit jacket on the couch and walks over to the bar to get us all a drink. Carlos slumps onto the big chair, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling.
I grab my phone and bring up the feed of Isabella’s room.
The girls are on the couch, drinking wine and hugging each other. I zoom in, and I can see the tears pouring down Isabella’sface. Anna is holding her, rubbing her back.
I rub my chest as the pressure builds. Why is she crying? Is the idea of marrying me that abhorrent to her? God, I wish I’d have installed audio with these cameras. At the very least, I’d have an idea of what was going on.
I watch my phone as I sit down on the couch in the living room. Chris hands me my drink and I take a swallow. Anna is still holding Isabella and they just cling to one another like it’s the end of the world.
“Well, this is a major cluster fuck.” Chris says, breaking the silence.
“Which part?” Carlos asks.
“All of it. Fucken traitors. They sit at our table, eating our food and drinking our booze as if they belong here. And we have to sit there and smile, watching them enjoy themselves at our expense.” He swallows his drink and slams the empty glass on the table.
I set my drink down, putting my elbows on my knees. “And they will again tomorrow night. Until father has all the information we need, things will remain as they are. We have to keep our cool and let it play out until further instructed by dad.”
Both Christopher and Carlos scowl at me remembering my outburst at wanting to kill them all.
“I know. I lost my shit there for a minute, and that’s something I need to work on.” I give them a cocky smile and say, “But that’s why I have you guys to tackle my ass before I make a mistake.”
Carlos laughs, and Chris only half smiles. I grab my drink and down the rest, setting my empty tumbler on the coffee table, I lean over to Chris.
“We will hang them, Christopher. This won’t go unpunished.But for now, we wait and smile and shake their fucken hands until Sebastian and Jasper get back to us with more information.”
Chris nods his head in agreement and Carlos just looks at the floor.
Standing up, I stretch my arms and look at them both. “I’m beat. I’ll see you two in the morning. I need my beauty sleep. Tomorrow is the big day.”
I flutter my lashes, and Chris throws a pillow in my face. Snagging it mid-air and throwing it back. I head off to my room. “Nite.”
As I close the door and turn on the lamp, I throw my phone on the bed. I step out of my joggers and pull off my t-shirt, dropping them at my feet as I pull back the covers and climb into bed. I’m mentally and physically exhausted. It’s been a long week in New York; a long flight, and a long ass day.
I punch my pillow and grab my phone, setting it on the pillow beside me so I can watch the girls.
