Fraud (Antihero Inferno #2) - Lily White Page 0,99
I call out in answer.
She growls just as I turn to run downstairs, confident that a woman who is not to be trusted is contained for now. But she’ll be all sorts of pissed when I get back to her.
I’m looking forward to it.
Hanging a right as soon as my feet hit the first floor, I cross the foyer into my home office, shut the door behind me to ensure Ivy’s screamed threats don’t disturb me and drop my weight into my chair to lift my feet to the desk.
Facing the monitor on the wall, I clench my teeth and take a steadying breath before dialing a number that will bring Warbucks up on screen. The video feed comes to life when he answers.
My mood sours as soon as I see his face. As usual, his complexion is ruddy, his chin sagging from years living in excess.
Warbucks is missing the jacket and tie he was wearing at my office, his shirt undone at the top. Behind him a gas fire rolls over fake logs, the gentle ambiance bullshit.
“It’s about time, Gabriel. I was beginning to think you’re intentionally avoiding me.”
He pulls a cigar from a small humidor on the table beside him, clips the tip and lights up, smoke rolling over the screen that obscures his face.
My mask is firmly in place as I lean back in my chair and grin at him.
“It’s like I said: I’ve been busy.”
“So I’ve read,” he barks, barely able to hide the anger of not being kept in the loop. “Tell me what you’re doing about getting me the information I need.”
Thankfully, Ivy was right when she believed she’d set me up for this conversation. I use it to my advantage.
“Ivy is in love,” I answer, my fingers tapping against the armrest of my chair, “and while she’s busy planning a wedding that will never happen, I’m taking what I need.”
He cocks a brow at that, and I groan to realize I inherited the expression from him.
But the lies I developed all by myself.
“I’m not surprised. You were always intended to marry her. At least until her father stepped into politics and decided to hide the fact he’s just as dirty as us.”
Ripping my feet down from the desk, I sit straight, my chair creaking with the sudden movement.
“What does that mean?”
Warbucks takes a few puffs of his cigar before tapping the end to dump the few ashes into a crystal dish beside him.
“Just what I said,” he answers, his voice gritty.
Again I silently pray for that sound to indicate throat cancer, but I think this bastard would somehow survive even that.
His green eyes meet mine.
“Thomas Callahan and I made the arrangement the same day you shoved that dumb bitch to the ground when you were kids. Not that it matters now. He called it off to appear polished despite being dirty.”
I was supposed to marry Ivy? The thought doesn’t make sense. Warbucks is the most powerful man in town. He didn’t need to tie his son to another family like Emily’s parents did.
All I want to do is press further about the issue, but think better of it. Relaxing against my seat, I stare at him instead.
“Yeah, well, I’m thankful he did it. Ivy isn’t exactly the brightest bulb in the pack.”
“No woman is,” Warbucks grumbles.
Except, Ivy actually is one of the smartest people I’ve known. She easily matches Tanner and me, and she’s kept me on my toes for a lifetime.
Even if she is still caught in the trap I’d set around her years ago.
“What information do you want? I have access to her father’s files and can obtain whatever you need. I’m not sure how much longer that access will last if her father hates us as much as you claim he does.”
Another puff of smoke blows over his lips.
“Forget what I asked for at the beginning of this. Things have changed since then because Tanner royally fucked up with Luca Bailey. But then again, we always knew he would eventually buckle, and everything would be handed to you. Unlike Tanner, you know how to follow orders.”
It takes effort to restrain my smile. These fat fucks have no idea.
Fraud is on full display, when I cross an ankle over a knee and steeple my fingers at my chin.
“Of course. I warned him against what he did. As usual, he didn’t listen.”
Warbucks flicks another ash.
“Get me everything you can find on Jerry Thornton. He recently disappeared from view, and we have a