Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 729(@200wpm)___ 583(@250wpm)___ 486(@300wpm)
Raine sent the two men a serene smile that told them nothing. “Of course, again, this is pure speculation on my part. Other than looking at the official reports on the accident, which were pure bullshit and clearly the result of Daniel or his grandfather, Angelo, bribing the officials to make it look as if they believed Miriam’s death was an accident.” She fell silent and put her fork and knife down, indicating she was finished with her food.
Immediately, Shabina stood. “Would you care for dessert?”
Raine nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it all day, Shabina.”
Vienna wished she could be more like Raine, not allowing the strain in the room to get to her, but the more she tried to breathe away the gathering tension, the more darkness coiled in her like a snake waiting to strike. In the back of her mind, just out of reach, there was something very important she kept reaching for. She needed to remember it. Until she did, she wouldn’t understand why she kept pushing Zale away.
Zale and Rainier wanted Raine’s input, that was very clear. She didn’t blame them. Raine could step back and look at puzzles, and pieces clicked right into place for her. At the same time, the two men feared what she might disclose in front of her friends. She didn’t know what it was Zale and Rainier didn’t want them to know. She could see it was like they were walking through a minefield. They didn’t want to give Raine information, but they wanted her to tell them everything she knew. She could have told them Raine was far too intelligent to fall into their trap. If she disclosed anything to them, it was because she knew their investigators had to have already discovered it or she had a reason for telling them.
“Vienna.”
She tried not to react to Zale’s soft, compelling voice. She needed to remember and she was so close. The door was right in front of her. She just had to find a way to open it. Zale stood squarely in front of it. If she was too close to him, she might never be able to open that door. Just like with her mother, should she just let it go? But if she did, how many times would her issues derail them? She needed to figure out what it was that was nagging at her. She gave a little shake of her head, denying Zale. Denying herself.
“Did your investigators uncover what exactly the bet was that Daniel made with Liam Gram in that last poker game between them?” Raine asked as Shabina put a bowl on the coffee table beside her. Her question sounded casual enough, but she was looking directly at Rainier.
Vienna chose to look at Zale. If Rainier appeared even half as intimidating as Zale, Vienna was sure that question was the last one either of the two men wanted asked. Her breath caught in her throat and her hand crept up protectively. Zale wasn’t looking at her—he was looking at Raine.
“The bet?” Rainier repeated. “That seems to be a difficult question to answer. So far, there isn’t a definitive answer.”
He was lying. He hadn’t hesitated, and his tone wasn’t off, but Vienna was certain he knew what Daniel and Liam had bet on that last hand. Zale’s expression hadn’t changed in the least. He hadn’t blinked, but he knew as well. She flicked her gaze from Zale to Rainier. The man had a stone face.
Vienna took a deep breath and looked at Raine. She looked serene, but she hadn’t taken her eyes from Rainier’s. They were locked together in a weird, silent battle no one else was involved in. Raine didn’t so much as blink. She looked so young—like a teenager. Her youthful appearance was one of the reasons so many people underestimated her. Vienna knew Rainier wasn’t in the least fooled anymore. He was well aware that Raine O’Mallory was incredibly intelligent and more than a worthy opponent. Vienna flicked her gaze to Zale. Evidently, he did as well. There was something both men wanted from Raine, but it was imperative she not reveal information to the rest of them. They were trying to make that clear to her.
Raine shrugged her shoulders. “That’s too bad. I think if we knew the answer to that question, things would be clear.”
“What does that mean?” Rainier prompted. “You’re an analyst. You must have ideas. So far, I think you’re coming closer than anything our people have come up with.”
A faint smile touched Raine’s mouth but didn’t light her eyes. “Seriously, Rainier? Do you actually think flattering me is going to work? The truth is, you both are worried I’m going to get the answer to that question. I’m already suspicious of the answer and what that would mean.” She glanced at Zale.