After I Fall (Immortal Billionaires #1) - Melissa Sercia Page 0,53
was adopted. It wasn’t legit. There’s not going to be a record of the adoption.”
Cassius looked up. “So what are you saying? That she was stolen?”
“Or left on their doorstep. Either way, it explains why they have very little love for her. Bastards.”
“So what does any of this have to do with you?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t know. Maybe nothing. But I highly doubt this family would have been willing to pay Raven’s way to Italy just so she could learn about wine. Check the winery records again. I want a complete list of everyone who was staffed at the time Raven was there.”
“You got it.”
As Cassius clicked away on the keyboard, I drove toward the direction of the Monroe farm. I had to see this family for myself.
“Oh, shit,” Cassius said.
“What?” My heart was racing.
“I found something. Pull over,” Cassius commanded.
I nestled the car on the shoulder. “What is it?”
“While there’s no record of Raven as an intern that summer, there was a plane ticket bought in her name, round trip to Italy.”
“Bought by who?” I snapped.
“Oh, fuck. You are not going to believe this.”
“Tell. Me. Right. Now.” The tips of my fangs were pushing through my gums.
Cassius used the back of his hand to wipe the sweat off his brow. “It was…Enzo.”
What the fuck?
I shifted out of park and continued driving. A thousand dark and paranoid thoughts raced through my mind. I was too frazzled to even speak them aloud. Why would Enzo buy Raven a plane ticket to Italy and not tell me about it? But more importantly, why would he keep her name off the record?
The maple tree lined road curved as we climbed up the hill to the farm. I pulled into a shady spot under one of the trees and killed the engine. As I thought about everything—Enzo, the Monroes, how they treated Raven—a rage that I’d buried deep clawed its way to the surface. There was also the issue of the hacker and if any of it was tied together.
My gloved fingers tightened around the steering wheel. I stiffened further at the touch of Cassius’s hand on my shoulder. “Are you about to do what I think you’re going to do? I’m fine with it, but just let me know so I can clean it up quick.”
I released a long drawn out breath, feeling my muscles relax and loosen as I did so. “No, I’m not going to hurt them.” I murmured. “But I want to.”
Cassius ran a hand through his long dirty blond hair. “Maybe Enzo has a good explanation.”
“For lying? No. Fuck that. I will deal with him when we get back. I’ve given him everything, including my trust and loyalty. I expected the same from him.”
“That still doesn’t explain anything. Why would he take an interest in this girl? Why keep it a secret?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out.” I jerked the car door open and jumped out. It was time to pull out all the stops and get to the bottom of this. “Wait here. They’ll feel less threatened if it’s just me.”
“I’ll be here if you need me. Try not to lose your temper, please. I really like this suit.”
A gray-haired woman answered the door within four knocks. “Can I help you?” She looked me up and down the same way the bartender had at the Rusty Nail.
“I hope so.” I clenched my jaw and reminded myself to stay calm. I needed to know the truth more than I needed to punish them. “I’m here about your daughter.”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “Meadow ain’t here right now. What do you want with her?”
I chuckled and did my best not to show my annoyance. “Your other daughter. Raven. I have a few questions.”
Mrs. Monroe wiped her hands on her apron. “Is she in some kind of trouble? We haven’t heard from that girl in weeks.”
Shocking. “She’s very ill. In fact, she may need an operation. I’m here to find out more about her medical history. Maybe even run some tests on the rest of you so I can get a better picture of her genetic makeup.”
“Ain’t you kind of young to be a doctor?” She eyed me skeptically.
I flashed her a warm smile. “I’m flattered, but I’m much older than you think. Now, what can you tell me about your family’s medical history?”
Mrs. Monroe shifted back and forth on her feet, tapping against the doorframe with her nails. “How sick is she?”