Fate Actually (Moonstone Cove #2) - Elizabeth Hunter Page 0,28

queen bees that Megan had identified at the center table, stand up and walk over to Marissa’s table. She pulled up an empty chair and spoke quietly to Marissa.

“What do you think she’s saying?” Katherine said. “Do you think she’s asking about Mr. Fairfield?”

“From what I heard at the buffet, that’s the hot topic today. Everyone is speculating about what happened.”

Toni asked, “Do they knew any details?”

“Not many.” Megan dabbed her mouth and kept her voice low. “A few people said he was murdered. Bunch of other people seemed to think he probably died from natural causes.”

Was it wrong of Toni to feel superior for knowing the facts of the case? “Did anyone mention us?”

“No. That doesn’t seem to have slipped out, but everyone is talking about how he was found on your cousin’s land.”

“Great.” Toni watched Marissa. She could see the tension around her mouth as she struggled to control her expression.

“Almost,” Katherine murmured.

Poppy took Marissa’s hand and put an arm around the other woman’s shoulders. If you didn’t see the undercurrents involved, it would have looked comforting.

It wasn’t comfort.

Poppy finally leaned back and Marissa stood rapidly, her lips pursed as she looked at the diners around her. Poppy sat back, her eyes wide and seemingly concerned.

“Thank you.” Marissa’s voice was audible across the room as the club fell silent. “For your concern, Poppy. You’re so… considerate.”

“Go now.” Katherine nudged Toni.

She stood and walked to the women’s bathroom that they’d passed on the way in.

Marissa’s voice rang clear in the dining room. “It’s just so… thoughtful how concerned you all are about Whit’s passing.”

Oh, she was pissed. So very pissed. Toni nearly laughed out loud.

She ducked into the bathroom and looked under the stall doors. No one. She waited in the plush outer lounge where there were couches and mirrors along with a counter to fix makeup and freshen up with mints, mouthwash, and tiny toiletry items.

Toni took the opportunity to grab a few for her purse.

Handy.

Seconds after she’d nabbed a bunch of the breath mints and extra toothbrushes, Marissa walked in. Her eyes went wide when she saw Toni.

“You.”

Toni swiftly walked over to the door and locked the dead bolt. “Hey, coz.”

“What are you doing?” Marissa walked to the door and reached for it, only to have Toni block her.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” She gestured toward a chaise. “How is that going to look? Where else are you going to go?”

“What do you want, Toni?” Marissa stepped back, but she didn’t sit down.

“I want to have a quick conversation about Whit.”

Marissa snorted, which Toni appreciated. The gloves and the masks were off. “You and everyone else. I’m not exactly broken up about it, okay?”

“You’re upset though.” She stared at Marissa’s face and tried to sort through the emotions rolling off her.

Anger was obvious.

But under that was irritation. Confusion. Worry. Fear?

“You know he was murdered,” Toni said. “Don’t you?”

“That detective already called me. I also know he was found on our land.”

“It’s family land, Marissa. When you left the family, you left any claim to it. Don’t even try it with me.”

Marissa sneered. “Whatever, Toni. At least I’m not one of the Dusi puppies, forty-six and still sucking at the family teat. Nico’s probably the one who killed Whit. He was always jealous.”

“Did you tell Drew that Nico killed Whit?”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “If he didn’t do it, he has nothing to worry about.”

“Wow.” Toni blinked. “You are an ignorant bitch. How were you married to Nico for nearly twenty years?”

“Good question.” She narrowed her eyes and smirked. “It did have a few perks. Nico’s fantastic in bed.”

“You’re so trashy.” Toni tried not to gag. “And yet you left him and ran off with Whit Fairfield of all people. Hard to imagine he was very attentive to anyone but himself.”

Marissa’s cheeks went red. “Whit was a great boyfriend.”

“Was he?” She smiled. “Was he really your boyfriend, Marissa? Or were you a convenient place to put it? I mean, no judgment, whatever works for you. But it’s not like he was taking you home to meet the family, was he?”

Marissa’s chin went up. “Whit knew exactly how valuable I was. Unlike Nico.”

“Okay. Sure.” Toni shrugged. “Too bad Whit’s dead.”

“Fuck you, Toni.”

Marissa blinked hard, but Toni wasn’t feeling any real grief from her.

Toni curled her lip. “You’re not even sad about him. You feel sorry for yourself.”

Marissa narrowed her eyes, and Toni knew if they were anywhere but the country club, she’d be going for Toni’s eyes with