Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 169305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 847(@200wpm)___ 677(@250wpm)___ 564(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 169305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 847(@200wpm)___ 677(@250wpm)___ 564(@300wpm)
“Vera? Are you here, drágám?”
Andras.
His voice felt like cyanide running through my bloodstream.
Then, I registered what he’d said.
Drágám.
Babe.
The word painted a more gruesome reality.
I reared back, lips parted. “How long have you been having an affair with Andras?”
It was the last piece that clicked everything into place.
How else would Vera, Andras, and his son be connected? He hadn’t met her through his son.
His son had met her through him.
“This has nothing to do with your father.” Vera’s cheeks reddened beneath three pounds of makeup. “Andras and I got to know each other after your father’s passing. I was a mess.”
Still are.
Andras burst past Tabby and Reggie, leaving them stumbling face-first onto the carpet. Sweat soaked his bare chest, gluing thick hairs flat to his skin.
He wore plaid pajama pants, hotel slippers, and a grimace that would put Steve Carell out of business.
Not his first time here, I noted.
He’d gone straight up.
“Oh, hey, Andras.” I leaned against my dresser, tipping my chin at him. “Glad you could make it.”
He glanced between me and Vera. “Farrow—”
I held up a hand. “Vera was just telling me this thing between you is brand new. Which is so very fascinating, considering she somehow got to know your son before you two hit it off. I wonder how they met. It couldn’t possibly be through an affair between Vera and his father, could it?”
Andras’ face turned paper white, his hands curling into fists. “Leave Eugene out of this.”
“Did you know she helped with his wife’s medical treatment? There’s a word for this.” I pretended to think, snapping my fingers. “Blood money? No. Conspiracy to commit murder? Definitely not. Sounds so serious.” I tapped my lip with a finger. “Hmm…”
Reggie gasped.
Tabby hid behind her sister.
And Vera?
Vera decided now would be a good time to launch herself at me.
Ironically, it was Andras’ coaching that helped me dodge Vera.
I dipped, retreating toward the wall, my footwork Olympic worthy. Without space on my side, it didn’t matter. I’d cornered myself.
Vera grabbed me by the neck, digging her acrylic nails into the tender flesh. I staggered back. My shoulder blades hit the window with a smack.
I raised my arms to loosen her grip, then twisted, landing a roundhouse kick to her stomach. She flew back with a yelp, falling straight into Andras’ arms.
Thank you, Ari, for forcing me to take self-defense lessons.
“Such a weird coincidence.” I pointed between them. “That you two hooked up just after Eugene was incarcerated.”
Tabby ran to her mom, patting her stomach, making her wince. She pointed at me. “You have no proof.”
Meanwhile, Reggie sidestepped Andras, rushing toward me, trying to pin me to the wall. A useless endeavor.
Not only was she out of shape, she’d also never fought for anything in her life.
I clasped her arm, twisted it behind her back, and bent it just before breaking point, leaning into her ear. “I suggest you stop trying to hurt me if you don’t want more charges to be brought against you.”
With Reggie as a human shield, I advanced.
Andras, Vera, and Tabby took collective steps back, watching me in horror.
Reggie thrashed and kicked, trying to break free. “Don’t let her hurt me.”
“She doesn’t really need her hands, does she?” I used my free hand to pet her head. “It’s not like she does anything with them. And no, handing credit cards to cashiers and texting friends don’t count.”
I knew I sounded like a villain.
I also knew I didn’t give a fuck.
Still on the carpet, Vera shook a finger at me, holding my gaze. “If you touch one hair on her head.”
I couldn’t remember the last time she’d looked at me. Really looked at me.
As a kid, I’d always wanted her to. I wish I’d known then what I knew now. That seeking love from people incapable of giving it would only burn a hole through my heart.
And there was no Band-Aid in the universe that could fix that.
I tossed my head back and laughed, tightening my hold on Reggie. “Read the room, Vera. You’re in no place to threaten me. Your cover is blown. Eugene is about to rot in prison for a lot more years than he planned, and you and Andras will join him.”
Thin rivers of sweat trickled down her temple. “Good luck proving it.”
“Don’t need luck. My private investigator did all the work.” I offered her a serene smile. “Word of advice, Vera. Next time you plan a murder, don’t leave a digital trail.” I frowned. “Though I’m not sure what cell access is like behind bars.”
I reached behind me, untucked a rolled-up folder from the back of my jeans, and tossed it at her knees. Evidence I’d printed on the plane.
The contents scattered around her, flashes of her sins blanketing the carpet. Her eyes soaked in the proof of her crimes, one by one.