Page 79 of Ruthless

“You’re one to talk.” She snorts, and they pick up the thread of the last conversation like nothing happened.

I let them prattle away, lost in my own thoughts. What would he have said if I told him what she really was to me? Would he be outraged? Happy for us both? Since Marco and I don’t share a typical sibling relationship, Jeremy’s response is impossible to judge.

With only a few minutes left before Jeremy’s break ends, we abandon our table at the deli and head back. He and Sara stroll ahead of me, their voices low as we cruise to a stop not far from our earlier meeting spot. “I’m glad you made it today, Sis.” Jeremy sighs and scrubs a hand down his face. “I may not remember her very well, but it’s still difficult to believe she’s been gone so long.” He glances my way and winces. “Sorry. Today’s the anniversary of our mom’s death, and it always hits hard.”

My throat tightens because I can relate to the feeling all too well. Sara was in her late teens when her mother died in a car crash. I remember browsing photos online once, marveling over the resemblance between Leslie Boyd and her daughter.

Marco and I were never able to celebrate or talk about Dulce. We were the most affected by her death, and yet our grief always took a back seat to Gio’s. Papà’s pain had a way of eclipsing everything else, including us.

“I’m guessing you’ll be at home later since you’re back in town?” Jeremy carefully avoids looking in my direction, but the hopeful note in his voice almost persuades me to release her and let her return to her old life. I can’t, though. Not only due to myown selfish reasons, but because Sara’s in danger. The mole, the Ghost, possibly even the Council…they’re all potential enemies right now, and Sara is cannon fodder for their games.

“Sorry. I volunteered for a few more shifts. I just came through because it’s my day off and I wanted to see you, widget.” Sara reaches out and ruffles his hair affectionately. This time, he lets her.

Although Jeremy’s shoulders sag with disappointment, he rallies quickly. “Right.” He turns to me with a straight spine and extends his hand in a very proper and professional manner. “It was nice meeting you today, Mr. Argento. We should do it again sometime and discuss…business.”

Ambitious. I like it.

I shake his hand firmly, assuring him that I’ll be in contact again soon.

Before Jeremy can head toward the building, Sara grabs his forearm. “Please be careful. If anything spooks you, call me ASAP.”

His brow pinches. “Is everything okay?”

Sara bites her lip and hesitates, so I jump in. “Just a ramp up in threats lately…corporate espionage that could get ugly. Keep your eyes and ears peeled, okay?” I distract him by giving him my personal cell number. “Like your sister said, call if you notice anything that concerns you.”

“Yes, sir!”

Jeremy practically bounces his way back inside.

As we watch him go, my shoulder brushes Sara’s. “You want to stop at Dino’s before we head back?”

Sara brightens. “Really?”

“Why not? You won the game, didn’t you?”

Dino’s sells the best cannolis I’ve ever tasted. Sara and I used to eat there all the time. I tell myself the dessert is merely a reward for her efforts today, but for whatever reason, I can’terase the memory of her devastated yet guilty expression after Jeremy mentioned their mom.

I want to drag the story out of her, but instead, I buy her a box of cannolis and hope that the sweets manage to temporarily combat a sadness that never really subsides.

Chapter 31

Sara

“I don’t get why I can’t have one.” Marco glares at the drink carriers balanced in his hands as if they’ve personally offended him.

I scoff as we stop outside the clinic. “Are you a tired and overworked medical professional?”

He cocks his head. “I’m not a medical professional, though I am tired. But I bet the woman I was with last night would have played sexy nurse if I’d asked.”

Rolling my eyes, I wait for him to open the clinic door. “TMI. And you’re hungover, not exhausted. There’s a difference.”

Monday is my day to bring coffee, and the others swarm at the sight of the steaming cups. Marco stalks away, defeated, as I set my things on the lone desk and get started with what has become my newest routine.

The clinic is a sterile white area that spreads over half the third floor, with staff bedrooms occupying the other half. Walls were knocked down to accommodate a dozen or so patient beds, and the sunlight flowing through the floor-to-ceiling windows brightens the room with much-needed warmth.

A tiny office space in the back homes the medical charts, books, and prescription pads. They burn the physical recordsonce a patient is released, so I file a mental note to sift through paperwork before my shift ends.

Ever since Dante began his more…hands on interrogations to root out the mole, work has been piling up for everyone. No one is spared his attention either. He worked his way through every guard and staff member in the house and then widened his circle to include suspects Luca brought in.