I nodded.
Dad glared at me. “Stay away from the Irishman’s daughter, or I will take drastic measures to rid her from your life.” I raised an eyebrow in question, and he added, “Don’t force my hand, Marcello. You won’t like what happens to the girl if I have to intervene.”
Chapter Nine
Rhiannon
Several weeks had passed since the night Marcello killed Cillian. The rumor mill churned after we buried Cillian’s body. Everyone in town was talking about his sudden disappearance. It was unusual for a man of his power and position to up and leave without a trace. My family was always the first target on everyone’s list. The police had come to my house within twenty-fours hours of his death.
I lied and told the police I hadn’t seen Cillian since the party. They would never find proof of me sneaking out to see him that night. I was careful to avoid the security cameras on my side of town. Marcello said he would hack into the video feeds around the town square to ensure no trails led back to us. He was good at his job as the head of security for Salvatore Global. If anyone could erase our past, it was Marcello.
Besides, the Salvatores owned the local police and politicians. Even if someone discovered a connection between Cillian and us, they would have the lead squashed within seconds. Though, I wondered if my uncle Shane would be so forgiving if he found out Arlo’s youngest son killed his brother.
I would gladly take this secret to my grave. Just knowing this information made me a weak link to the Salvatores. So I stayed under the radar, only going to and from work since that night.
I sat on the bench in front of the bay window with a sketchpad on my lap. My boss at The Ink Yard had had asked me to sketch an idea for a client. He wasn’t as good with scenery sketches, so I volunteered to take the lead. Mickey was giving me more responsibility. I even had my own chair and was accepting new clients. It was my dream to one day own a tattoo studio where my art graced the walls.
I lounged at the house, attempting to pass the time without thinking about the events of the past few weeks. I needed absolution for my sins, but where would I even begin? In my twenty years, I had done so many horrible things a priest would probably run screaming from the confessional. There weren’t enough Our Father’s or Hail Mary’s to wash away my misdeeds. My soul was black as tar, tainted by the evil and corruption of this world.
My cell phone vibrated across the wooden bench, and my heart leaped out of my chest with excitement. No one ever called me. I had no friends after leaving Beacon Bay. Not like anyone wanted to talk to the inked-up crazy girl with an even crazier father. Just saying my last name had people running for the hills.
Sonny: I’m on my way to your house. Let me in.
Rhiannon: Only if you bring me a cupcake from the cafe.
Sonny: Be there in 5 :)
With a big ass grin, I dropped my sketchpad onto the bench. I swung open the front door, ignoring the armed guards, and waited for Sonny in the circular driveway. My cousin drove his Porsche through the gate, past my father’s men, giving them a wicked look as he made his way toward the house. He had the top down, the wind blowing through his short blond hair.
Sonny looked like the typical blue-blooded golden boy. Though you would never guess that his mother used to run half of my father’s bookmaking operation when she was in college. After she met Shane Cormac II and married into one of the wealthiest families in the world, Aunt Savanna kept her distance.
Everyone stayed away from us unless they needed a favor. But not Sonny. He never feared my father and his shady connections to the criminal underworld. Sonny was one of the highest-ranking members in The Devil’s Knights, the same secret society Marcello’s family had founded ages ago.
Sonny slid out of the driver’s seat with a pink pastry box in hand, smiling. “I was on my way back from the cafe when you texted.”
That explained how he’d gotten here so quickly.
Beaming with excitement, I grabbed the box from his hand. “Thank you.” I stood on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek. “Best cousin ever.”
Sonny always made sure I was okay, both mentally and physically, and always came to the house with a treat. I didn’t have many good people in my life.
Sonny slid his arm behind my back and hugged me. “How is Conor treating you?”
He always referred to my father by his first name.
“He hasn’t been home much. And when he’s here, it’s like he’s in another world.”