Page 2 of A Lethal Game of Trust

My phone buzzed in my ear. From the text tone, I knew exactly who it was. Jared. My ex.

“I don’t know,” Derek admitted, frustrated. It was rare he didn’t know something. The most expensive lawyer in my hometown, the man who worked ruthlessly for gang families across the coast. Including mine.

If he didn’t know, not only was Daniel Firdman suddenly rich, but he was also well cared for. Surely that was all the proof they needed that the scum from North Darley wasn’t as he had seemed at trial ten years ago.

If Derek didn’t know what had happened, there was no hope.

Throughout my legal career thus far, Derek was the mentor who kept me going. This case, my father’s murder, was the one that inspired me to take the career path when my family’s route had already been picked out for me.

I knew it was a disappointment for some for the mafia princess, Luís Castillo’s only child and heir, to be in a courtroom.

My family had never exactly been on the right side of the law, but when the Belovs and Castillos joined to create legal businesses, Derek became one of their fast and much-needed friends.

“It’s only been ten years,” I grovelled. The fivestages of grief had been on rotation for those years. I was back to bargaining.

“I think we were lucky to get that far,” he said quietly. “Armed robbery with a fatality. Without being able to confirm it was premeditated… you know this, Leonie.”

“I do. I know you’re right.” I stopped picking at the blanket and started breathing properly again. “Thank you for updating me, D.”

“You alone?” he asked quickly, only just stopping me from hanging up. “You can come and join me and Julia. We’ll get a late-night takeaway. I don’t think you should be by yourself tonight.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” I replied with a huff as I stood up and let the blanket fall on the floor. It would soon be time to start a new bottle of wine. I held my phone to my shoulder, cocking my head to the side as I pulled two bottles of white wine out of the fridge. Seeing as one was so very nearly done, it wouldn’t hurt to grab the other. “Issy will be back soon.”

“Where’s she gone?” he asked. “You can both come round when she’s back.”

Derek and Julia still lived in the house they hadbefore.In my life, there was always abeforethat night andafter. Their house was three miles away from my abandoned childhood home.

Now that Issy and I had moved to Osburn, it was a two-hour drive past that houseto go and see them on the coast. It wasn’t something I was willing to do tonight. “D, we wouldn’t get there until nearly midnight. And she’s out withDom.”

Her shithead brother.

“Oh.”

I sat back on the sofa, wrapping the blanket around me andfilling my glass.

“Well, that’s strange. I didn’t think they got on anymore.”

“It’s not that,” I said and took a big gulp. The Leonie three months ago would have gotten whiplash at the thought of drinking a whole bottle of wine to herself in one night. Since rehab eight years ago, I’d stayed away from any narcotics, but I’d never had an issue with alcohol.

Now, it was rare on the weekends if I didn’t get through two bottles of wine each night.

“It’s his girlfriend. She’s always there.”

“Well, if you see him, play nice.”

“Don’t I always?” I asked sweetly.

“No,” Derek deadpanned. “Neither of you do, actually.”

“I’ll be nice.”

“Love you, Leonie Lion,” he said sadly. “And call me with anything you need. If you want any help with that marking, give me a shout.”

Oh yes, a lovely reminder of the dissertations I was yet to mark.

“I most definitely will. Thanks, D.”

“Anytime. Don’t drink too much of that wine.”