Page 46 of All Fall Down

Chapter Sixteen

The West Resortand Casino has a lovely afternoon brunch even during weekdays, which is why I choose it for a bite to eat. Plus, it gives me a chance to put my invited guest in her discomfort zone. I need Monroe West if I’m going to use the information I’ve gotten from Dominic Chamber to my advantage. I’m already seated by the time she arrives, and my earliness makes me feel as if I have the upper hand.

Perhaps that’s why my mother always gets to a restaurant thirty minutes in advance.

Monroe’s annoyance radiates from her. While her lacy, navy dress and nude flats make her look the part of the innocent, I know exactly how I got her to meet me today. That’s probably why her sharp blue eyes cast daggers at me from across the dining room.

“Did you have to call my agency?” Monroe hisses as she takes the seat across from me.

I shrug, stirring a packet of sugar into my tea. I’m not certain this is what people mean when they say kill them with sweetness. “It seemed the easiest way to reach you.”

“You have my phone number.” She orders a mimosa from the waiter and then turns her fury back on me.

“I forgot.”

She considers this for a moment, and I hold my ground. Bullies respond to strength, so if I want to bond with my future sister-in-law, I’m going to have to show her exactly what I’m made of.

“So did you miss me or is there a point to this little afternoon tea party?” she asks, lounging into her seat. She’s getting comfortable, which means she’s letting me win this round.

Score one for Emma.

“I received some good news today. I’ve officially been cleared in your father’s murder case.”

“We’ve known that for a while, though.”

I can’t quite hide my surprise. I had no clue that Jameson had shared the DNA issue with the rest of his family.

“Don’t look so shocked,” she says. “We keep each other’s secrets, remember? Although no wonder he was so upset. It would have been pretty fucking twisted if you were his half-sister.”

Score one for Monroe.

“Of course, maybe that gets you off,” she continues, smothering a roll with butter before proceeding to pick at it.

“You’re more of the expert on fetish,” I assure her as I take a sip from my straw.

I don’t miss the slight flinch she tries to hide.

Score two for Emma.

“I thought we could celebrate,” I begin.

“That you aren’t screwing your brother? Sure, why not?” She rolls her eyes and abandons the uneaten roll on her plate.

“That I’m free and clear. Unless there’s a reason we should be concerned about familial involvement.” I don’t hide the implication of my words. I’m calling Monroe’s bluff. I’m not Nathaniel West’s daughter, but she is.

“Don’t be a pervert,” she says flatly. “So you want to have a party.”

I nod, trying not to look too self-satisfied that I’ve gotten her on the same page. “Here.”

“Here?” Monroe repeats. “You mean upstairs? Is that a little tasteless?”

“I had no idea you were so concerned with other people’s opinions. Maybe we should burn the place down and rebuild.” Monroe doesn’t seem to care that her father was murdered in this building. She’s stayed here, conducted business here. Hell, she even threw another party here.

“My mother is concerned with saving face,” she reminds me.

“This is about showing our strength,” I counter, hoping that this fledgling family connection is strong enough to get this done. “To whoever is watching. We own this town and they aren’t going to scare us away.”

“You aren’t a West yet. We might protect you but let’s wait for the prenup before you go claiming to own my family’s empire,” she suggests drolly.