Page 44 of My Ghost

My heart stops.I can’t breathe.

Manticore.They think Matteo is involved.

I force my face to stay impassible.“I’m just an employee, I make coffee and handle spreadsheets.What makes you think that I can help you?”I ask.

“You moved here out of nowhere, you worked part-time in a vet clinic.And suddenly you are working here, for whatever reason I don’t know, but I will find out.”

I turn and start to walk toward The Bastion.Could this day get any worse?

“I’m sorry, Mr.Rourke, but there is nothing I can do to help you, I’m just an ordinary employee, I don’t have the kind of information you are looking for.Have a good day.”

He stops walking, and I hear him say, his voice low and laced with animosity, “This isn’t over, Ms.Skye.You’ll be hearing from me again.”

I don’t turn around and keep walking, heart thudding in my chest, the weight of his words crushing my heart like a vise.

The FBI is investigating Matteo because they think he is part of Manticore.

No, I can’t believe it,he wouldn’t be involved in something so immoral.My heart refuses to accept it.

Then why don’t you tell him about the message you found on his server?Hypocrite, my mind chimes in.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Erin

Dave and I are laughing so hard we can barely breathe as we wait for the song to start.I invited him to our karaoke night, and unsurprisingly, his easy charm and goofiness have made him an instant buddy in our group.He is funny and outgoing, the perfect companion for karaoke and giggles.

Then the first notes ofI Will Survivekick in, and we are scream-singing Gloria Gaynor in tandem in front of a cheering and hooting crowd.

But suddenly, at about mid-song, awareness creeps up my spine and makes my skin crawl.I frown and scan the room, trying to locate the source of my unease.My voice falters and I nearly drop the microphone when I seehimsitting there, perched on a stool at the back of the room, tall, brooding and dark.

Mr.Underworld himself.

What thehellis he doing here?

I glare at him from across the room even if I can’t see his expression from this far.I throw the last line ofI Will Survivein his direction and turn away.I don’t spare him a glance and return to our table where Lily, Chiara, and Lucas are waiting for us.They seem oblivious to Matteo’s presence, but I feel his stare boring into me all evening.

As the night goes on, we go back on stage for more songs and I almost forget that Matteo is staring daggers at me from across the room.Let him.I’m here to have fun, not to be an emotional punching bag for an arrogant Mafia enforcer.I refuse to let him ruin my evening.

More songs and laughter later, my throat runs dry and I skip to the bar for another margarita.

The bartender flashes me an apologetic smile.“Sorry, sweetie.We’re out of alcohol.”

I blink at him.“What?You’re literally standing in front of a wall of booze.”I lean to the side to look behind him.Yep, the shelves are lined with liquor bottles, not a single one is empty.I beam up at the man.“Just give me anything you have.”

The barman gives me another too-bright smile.“Yeah, about that…we’re out of everything.But I can give you this.”He pushes a chilled water bottle toward me with a sheepish smile.

I look at him, bewildered.What is going on?

He leans toward me and says in a conspiratorial tone, “The gentleman over there made sure that you’ll always uh…stay well hydrated throughout the evening.”

I don’t have to follow his nod to know whichgentlemanhe means.

I whip around anyway and sure enough, Matteo is still sitting there, eyes gleaming with evil satisfaction.He holds up his tumbler in a mock salute and smirks.

That overbearing, infuriating, arrogantjerk!

I whip around toward the bar.“Look, I don’t know how much he paid you, but I’ll double it if you forget his deal.So, how much was it?”I start to rummage in my purse to look for change.