Page 59

She never told me her name.

I realize my mistake too late, but she’s already tugging her car door shut and driving away.

I don’t follow her, but I know exactly where she is going.

31

A Recipe for Revenge

Kale

Iwatch her drive away from the shell-shocked Reuben.

I know what this mechanic specializes in.

Reuben doesn’t notice me, doesn’t hear the click of the camera as I take the pictures.

You’re really losing your touch.

He looks so much older too. Instead of our sixteen years apart, it appears decades have weathered him.

The last time I saw him was at his wedding.

I was the best man.

Clutching my heart as the guilt takes hold, I set down the camera and force myself to follow Cinnamon.

***

I don’t like this.

She has been sent to one of the play houses.

One that women would go into but never leave.

There were hushed rumors in my youth that my family emphatically denied, but as I grew, I knew the truth.

On top of their trafficking of drugs, they also dealt in the flesh.

At least the Napolitans and Aldentes did.

Another reason they wanted to split from the Barleys and Rouxs. Those families were vehemently against it.

And the assholes who always spent their time up here were Rondelle Napolitan and my uncle, Chard Aldente.

I wonder if my sperm donor is here too.

I should call the captain, explain what is going on.

I am out of my car now, tucked behind a set of trees, watching Cinnamon get out of her vehicle with a large box.

Hopefully the blind spots are still the same.

I followed my father out here in my youth. I got caught the first few times, but the last time, five years ago, I made it into the house and saw all I needed to.

The last straw that sent me spiraling.

Crawling along the building, I creep towards the backdoor, not surprised to find it unguarded.