Wicked Liar (Dark Syndicate 3)

“You think your house is delicious?”

“You make it delicious Miss Ricci.”

I take my fork and pierce one of the cherry tomatoes in the salad.My gaze flicks from my bowl to him, while he keeps his eyes trained on me.

“I don’t know if I’m supposed to say thanks to that.” I chuckle nervously really wishing I wasn’t here.It’s definitely throwing me off and I’m already off kilter from my encounter with Dominic.

“Say nothing. It was a statement of fact.My facts. Thank you for coming to lunch.I did think somewhere nice was in order and it’s a nice day.I always eat out here every chance I get.Reminds me of France.”

“Where in France? I can imagine you going everywhere.”

“You’re right, but I love the vineyards in Provence, one of which I own and started from scratch.It’s everything you would imagine.Rolling hills and a beautiful landscape.”

“That sounds amazing.” I smile.

“It is. Please eat. Don’t let me stop you I just see it as a win for me to have you in my home.Thought I’d give you a taste of where you’ll be from next week onwards.” He raises his glass to me and I do the same.

We eat and the minutes go by.I talk about Italy to fill the silent awkwardness, but Jacques can tell something is off with me.

“You are the most interesting creature I’ve ever come across,” he states after I finish talking about my degree.

“Really?”

“Yes. I guess I figured after a degree of that nature you’d become a teacher, but you seem quite content to work for Massimo.”

“I am. I think I started out wanting to be a teacher.I love reading classic fiction and poetry but I didn’t have the knack for teaching.” It wasn’t that.In fact, I’m not sure what it was.

I think it was something to do with not quite knowing what I wanted to do in life.Like most people, I went to college at eighteen.That was only three years after my parents’ deaths.I was still a mess. I only started to truly get better when I left college.

“I suppose when you know people like the D’Agostinos you’re sorted for life.” Something flashes in his eyes that I can’t quite identify.It makes me think he’s fishing for information.I’m not sure though.

“They’ve been good to me.”

“I had people who were good to me too,” he states and of course the first thing that comes to my mind is Richard Fenmoir and that twenty million dollar deposit.That was one good deed I’m very interested in.

“Like who?” I try for casual. “I always imagine Jacques Belmont as a giant who doesn’t need people to be good to him.”

I wish I could ask. I wish I could come right out and ask him what I want.I just need to know more about Richard Fenmoir.Did he order my parent’s deaths?Was it him?

Who knows what box of evil I’d be opening if I were to ask?And asking here in Jacques' home might not be a good idea.

I guess if I think that then maybe I don't quite believe he's not dangerous.

“Family,” Jacques replies quashing my hopes along with that brainstorm.

“That’s good. The D’Agostinos are like family to me.”

“Family. That’s interesting. So you’ve never been involved with any of them?”

He is fishing and I won’t make the mistake of thinking he doesn’t already know the answer to that question.

“Why? Why would you ask me that?”

“I heard a thing or two about Dominic D’Agostino.Sources said you were close before he departed.I’m just trying to make sure I don’t stick my hand in another man’s girl.” He means that quite literally.“And not one I’m doing business with.”

I hope like hell I don’t look like the guilt I feel.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” I lie and I think I do a damn good job of convincing him because of the smirk I add to compliment the act.