Page 154 of Convict's Game

I went to take it off.

Convict stopped me. “We don’t know for sure yet. There’s an outside chance someone else in the company is doing this.”

“Without him knowing?” I huffed a laugh. “I’m becoming cynical, and you’re speaking from your heart. We’ve swapped roles.”

“We’ve swapped a lot of things.”

He closed my hand over the pendant. “Keep it on until we’re certain. Hold out hope. That’s how I won you.”

True. I let it fall back into place.

“There’s something else I discovered today. I’ve got a sister.”

To Convict’s stunned expression, I explained the revelation of Darcy, the missing Marchant grandchild.

At least in that, I didn’t need to be the one on the hunt. Kane would find her. I already knew it. He’d seek her out with the hope that when the board meeting was next convened, we could vote three to two and get the money flowing again. Maybe after that, a wind-down programme could be agreed for the business. I didn’t much care anymore, so long as it didn’t cut beneficiaries off at the knees.

Other questions, such as who killed Esther, were still up in the air.

Our dinner arrived, as did a crew member with Convict’s car plus a new phone, Manny giving him a three-strike count for how many he’d now had.

I ate and mused on that other mystery.

With all the drama around my family, I hadn’t forgotten that loss of life. From the first hint that it might be connected, my mind had toyed with the idea, twisting it over and trying to find any more clues.

My phone buzzed, and I nearly dropped my fork at the name on my screen.

“It’s my uncle. Finally, texting me after all that silence.”

Convict snorted. “Probably pissed off because the will reading never happened and he didn’t get his payday.”

Wallace: I saw the men you had waiting outside the lawyer’s place. One had the markings of the gang that runs that sex club in town.

My shoulders bunched around my ears. Then I loosened the tension. By association, I was skeleton crew now. They were Convict’s people. I wouldn’t let him talk shit about them.

A follow-up text came in just as fast.

Wallace: So… Can you get me membership?

I shuddered and tossed my phone to the coffee table. Yet my mind remained on the warehouse. More specifically, on the games Convict liked to play there with me.

Next time we were there, I’d bring the fun. When I was sure he’d healed, I’d have him chase me around the basement, or maybe blindfold me in the sex club. One thing was certain, aside from my brother, no Marchant relative of mine would ever be allowed in the building.

Convict touched my knee. “You have an interesting expression.”

I slid him a look then batted my lashes.

His eyes darkened. “Mila, arms over your head and hold the sofa back. Don’t let go unless I say so.”

Fine, maybe this time, the game could be all his.

Epilogue

Lovelyn – a few hours earlier

In the yard at the back of the safe house, hidden from the street, a medic fussed over my father. We’d been moved outside for fresh air once the short-acting knockout gas had worn off.

He slapped her hand away. “Get to fuck. My blood pressure is fine, and if you attempt to put that mask on me again, I’ll arrest you and use it as handcuffs.”