Page 79 of Arranged Marriage to the Brutal Bratva King
Felix’s expression doesn’t change, but I see the slight tension in his shoulders. “When?”
“I don’t know. Recently. Tonight, I caught her in my study about to go through my files.”
“And?”
“She claimed innocence, but it’s a lie.”
“You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
Felix settles into the chair across from me, drink forgotten. “Tell me everything.”
I do. The confrontation in the study, Janice’s weak attempts at lying, the way fear had warred with something else in her eyes.
“She’s planning something serious.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
I shrug. “It’s not exactly hidden knowledge that she’s unhappy here, is it?”
“What did she tell you?”
“Nothing much.”
Felix gives me a narrow-eyed look.
“I know. I should have pressed for details immediately. Should have extracted every piece of information while she was still raw and willing to talk.” I set my untouched drink aside. “She wouldn’t have told me anything anyway.”
Felix pulls out his tablet, navigating to something. “I have information you need to see. It’s part of why I’m here.”
“Go on.”
“The Zullo syndicate is moving again. Quietly. Pedro hasn’t forgotten the market losses or the public humiliation.”
My jaw tightens. “Pedro holds grudges like some people hold investments. What’s he doing?”
“Positioning. Gathering intel. Making contacts with people who might be useful leverage.” Felix turns the tablettoward me. “One of his trusted men attended Damien’s event. The same event where you brought Janice.”
Cold settles in my chest. “Names.”
“Marco Santini. He’s a mid-level enforcer, but smart. Good at information gathering, better at manipulation.” Felix swipes to another screen. “Security footage shows him near Janice multiple times throughout the night.”
“Near her how?”
“Passing by. Close enough to slip something into her purse if he wanted. Close enough to speak without being overheard.” Another swipe. “At one point, both of them disappeared from camera coverage for approximately four minutes.”
The cold crystallizes into fury. “Where?”
“Hallway near the restrooms. Could be coincidence; she needed to use the facilities, he happened to be passing by. Or—”
“Or he approached her then. Made contact. Gave her the phone.”
“It’s speculation, but it fits the timeline.” Felix closes the tablet. “The question is what he offered her. What would make your wife consider betraying you?”
