“I was just leaving, Margaret.”
Her eyes darted to her husband. She sensed the tension in the room. Louis had turned from a shade of pink to a sallow yellow.
“I was surprised to see your mother out last night,” she mentioned Felicia casually.
“Oh?” Maybe it explained why neither Seraphina nor I had heard from her. She had been out boozing with her wine club.
“We all want her to move on, but I’m sure it’s hard to see her with another man so soon. And in public. But you know, we all have to find solace in places.” Her tone dripped with disdain.
I inhaled. I didn’t want to take the bait. But damn it, I needed the information. “Where was this, Margaret? I didn’t realize she was seeing anyone.”
Her eyes widened. “Well, I’m not the only one who saw them eating at the Vieux Carre.”
My stomach plummeted to my knees. “You were at the Vieux Carre? Interesting.”
“But the Lieutenant Governor? I’ve never been into politics. Your mother just needs a companion. I’m sure that’s all it is.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” I leaned down and pecked her on the cheek. “You both have a good day.”
I walked out, jumped into my car, and drove to the Corban compound.
28
Knight
I didn’t remember the drive from the Castilles’s to my mother’s house. I remember climbing the stairs, barreling through the door, and yelling her name. Everything else before that was a blank space.
The servants scattered. The grandfather clocked chimed. The cook tried to bring me muffin and I screamed again.
“Where is she?” I gritted my teeth together.
“Would you stop? You are a bull in a china shop, Knight.” Felicia Corban glided down the stairs, shooing the cook away.
I yanked her by the arm and practically lifted her off her feet.
“Ouch,” she whined. I noticed her makeup was done. She was dressed. She didn’t smell like last night’s Chardonnay. Fuck. Seraphina’s hunch was right.
I released her inside my father’s study, and she rubbed her arm. “What is wrong with you?” she hissed. “Someone could call security on you. And I would have no reason to stop them.”
I pointed my finger in her face. “Don’t. Don’t you dare. The only things coming out of your mouth better be the goddamn truth.”
She walked backward. Her eyes wide. “What is this about?”
“You know what it’s about.” I took a deep breath. “Crew West is dead.”
If I didn’t know her better, I would have almost believed how she gasped. Almost. God, she was a good actress.
“That poor kid. Just out of business school. I’ve seen him on the news. He worked at Martin Global.”
I stepped closer to her. “I said only the truth,” I reminded her.
“He has been on the news. That is true.”
“That’s all you know? Really?” I pressed.
She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “What’s your point?”
I growled. “I heard about your new friendship with the Lieutenant Governor. It’s not a coincidence that he and Kennedy have been on the opposite sides of the gambling permits. He has a vested interest in the laws not being expanded. I know exactly what he has stock in. If it passes he will lose millions.”