Page 30 of Filthy Little Lies

“Of course.” Lucian’s body softens. The prospect of getting to break a few bones in Ricci’s face is enough to relax him.

“Since all of that is settled, I’m going to the office.” Roman yanks open the door and Savvy spills inside.

She offers a pitiful smile. “I was just going to ask about that ride?”

CHAPTER 9

Savvy

“Okay, you’ve delayed long enough. I want the details.” Cassie waves down the bartender at Lucky Stripes, one of our usual hangouts.

We’ve spent the whole afternoon shopping for the perfect interview outfit. Our feet and wallets hurt, so we decided to heal up with a few cheap beers and a game of pool. If the table ever opens up.

“Details about what?” I grab our beers, she snags the nachos, and we find a table along the wall. We’re regular enough that Josh, the bartender, only needs to see us to know what order to put through.

“Savvy.” She tips her chin and raises her brow in her best mom look. One day she’ll make a great mother. And if she ever finds a man who knock down the cement wall she’s built around herself, it might actually happen.

Whatever crap I’ve been through in my life, she’s been through worse. And most of it at the hands of people who were supposed to be taking care of her.

“Cassie.” I try to mimic her tone but end up laughing it off. “Fine. What do you want to know?”

“First of all, are you sure you’re safe there? I mean, he did kidnap you. Twice.”

“I’m not sure you can count the second time, as I did my own packing.”

She deadpans. “I’m being serious, Savvy.”

“I know,” I say around a tortilla chip. “I’m fine. I’m looking at it like it’s a long term, on-location job. That’s all. I’ll do the work, and when it’s over, I’ll go back to my normal life.”

“Do you have any idea who this man is?” She asks with suspicion laced through her tone.

“What does that mean? Yeah. He’s some low-level mafia guy. From the look of his house, he’s doing really well. Maybe once this is over, I’ll do a few more jobs for him and make some good cash.”

Or I’ll see about hypnosis. I wonder if they’re able to wipe memories clean. Then I can pretend all of this mess never happened.

“You said his name is Gabriel Valenti, right?” She pulls out her phone and swipes across the screen. A few more taps and then she turns it to face me. “This is the guy I saw in your apartment yesterday. That’s him, right?”

I take the phone from her and check out the picture. It’s him, all right. He’s standing beside that smartass of a brother and another man with the mayor in the middle shaking his hand.

“So he’s not mafia?”

“Oh he is.” She plucks up a chip that’s dripping with cheese. “He’s the head of the Valenti family, but the city conveniently ignores that fact because in the last five years he’s brought in huge business.”

“Are you telling me the mobster is a businessman?”

“I’m telling you he and his family own one of the largest logistics firms in the country. At least the largest in Illinois.”

“Valenti Logistics.” I mutter, the pieces finally clicking.

“Yes. Valenti Logistics. They just announced a major shipping hub on the south side. It’s a five-hundred-million-dollar investment into the city.” She snags her phone back and swipes to another article. “See?”

Quickly, I read up on my new boss and sink into the booth as the weight of the power he holds comes to light.

“How did you know all that?”

She chomps on another chip while shrugging. “The lawyer I’ve been working with has done some work with them. They have their own firm on retainer, but I guess one of them got divorced a year ago and needed outside counsel to help deal with his crazy ex.”

“Why would a man like him need someone like me? He’s got to have his own people that can do what I do.” I take a long sip of my beer, suddenly wishing I’d ordered a few shots.