Page 27 of Steal My Heart

“That’s your takeaway?” I shout.

Remi steps out of the pool house, her eyes landing on the corpse floating facedown. Covering her mouth, she sprints inside the main house.

“Just as we were making progress. Thanks a lot,” Al snipes.

“What are you talking about?” I turn my attention back to my sister.

“For someone who has to be in control, you don’t know shit.” Al crosses her arms.

“What I do know is you’ve been sneaking around visiting that piece ofshitFabien,” I spit.

She lifts her chin in defiance. “He’s my brother, and I have every right to see him.”

“Wrong!” I thunder. “I am your guardian, and I forbade it for a reason.”

“Yeah, because of this stupid beef you two have.” Al rolls her eyes.

I want to fucking pull my hair out. “Because a federal male prison is no place for a teenage girl!”

“Where is my place, then? Because it sure as hell won’t be under your thumb for much longer!” She spins on her heel and stomps off.

Maks goes to say something, but thinks better of it, closing his mouth.

“Clean out the pool, and then go feed the gator!” I bark, storming inside.

Nola’s on the kitchen counter, grooming. “Don’t start with me,” I warn the cat. “And get down.”

She hisses.

“Mr. Calvani,” Corinne calls from inside the butler’s pantry. “That bobcat still out here?”

“Jesus Christ, she’s not a bobcat.” I throw up my hands in frustration. “Nola, I said get down.”

The cat ignores me, continuing with her grooming.

An annoyed sound vibrates my chest as I fling open the pantry door. “What have Al and Remi been doing this morning?”

“You didn’t hear this from me, but Al’s been teaching Remi to swim,” Corinne tells me, peeking over my shoulder.

“Remi can’t swim.” And now I feel like an even bigger asshole.

Corinne nods. “Al’s taken a real shine to your girlfriend.”

The doorbell rings, and I don’t have time to set her straight. Not that I know what Remi is to me. Trouble, but we’ve already established that last night. “That’s Nic. Escort him to the study.”

She glances nervously over my shoulder.

I tilt my head, sighing to the heavens before grabbing the treat jar. Marching to the other side of the kitchen, I give the jar an exaggerated shake.

Nola hops down from the counter and crosses the room in two bounds, purring and circling my leg. “We’re friends, now, huh? Funny how that works,” I mutter, opening the jar and holding out the little pellet.

The cat nibbles it from my fingers as the old woman scurries out of the room.

I grab the intercom phone and press the button for the guard booth attendant. “Alessandra does not leave this property unless it’s with me or Maks.”

“Yes, Mr. Calvani.”

Ending the call, I look down at the cat, who’s pawing my leg for more treats. “Nola, you are my houseguest. I expect you to act like one and stop terrorizing the staff.”