He shakes his head, though he’s amused. “We’re going to the Constantine Compound. I texted Perry and Winston both to give them the update. We can hang out there until they finish.”
“With your mother. Yay,” I deadpan.
“I’m sure Mother will be busy planning whose life she’s going to destroy next,” Keaton mutters. “Tinsley will be happy to see us, though.”
“Will my bird be okay at Win’s?”
“Francis is there. She’ll keep an eye on him.”
“What do you think Nate wanted inside for?”
“Besides catching you saying or doing something to prove you’re a money-thieving bitch, I don’t know.”
“I think he’s been looking for something. Not just on me.” I frown as I look out the window. “When he showed up, both times he wanted to go upstairs to use Winston’s towel warmer.”
“Winston doesn’t have a towel warmer.”
I flash him a grin. “He does now.”
“I will never in a million years understand your relationship with him, but if we’re basing it on what I’ve gathered and the never-ending news clips, it’s super fucked up.”
“Gee. Thanks. But you’re right. Totally fucked up.”
“And you’re happy about that…” He laughs. “He joked about putting your bird in his will. That’s not the brother I know.”
“He’s pretty amazing when he stops acting like a total and complete dick.”
“So Nate’s been snooping around in Winston’s room? Looking for what? To borrow a boring-ass necktie?”
“I’m not sure but he convinced me twice he needed to go up there and I let him.” I hate that I can be so blind sometimes. “No wonder Win looked at me like I had three heads when I told him Nate came by. He wasn’t supposed to be there. Why didn’t he say anything?”
“Because my brother holds his cards close to the vest. He doesn’t typically go out guns blazing on a hunch. If he thought something was shady, he’d investigate it endlessly until he was ready to move.”
“Like dominoes,” I say absently. “Perry said the same thing. He’s calculating and a master strategist.”
“When he gets done wiping the floor with the Morellis, he can confront Nate and see what the hell is his problem. Whatever Nate is doing needs to be addressed.”
I chew on my bottom lip, thinking. “Do you think it was Nate who tipped off the press?”
“But it was Scout who called Win, right?”
“Connected?”
“Doubtful. Nate might be up to some shit, but he doesn’t associate with little assholes like the Mannford triplets.”
“Leo Morelli does. Associate, I mean. With the Terror Triplets.”
“Leo’s trash like the rest of the Morellis,” he says simply. “Nate wouldn’t risk his friendship with my brother to go behind his back with them. That’s like the ultimate sin in Winston’s book.”
“Trust me,” I grumble. “I know.”
I wish I had my phone or my purse. It’d give me something to do other than wring my hands together as I try to piece together the mess that is my life. I ache for Winston to finish up with Leo and come back to me. In the past, I might have relied on my father if I were afraid or worried, but lately, it’s Win who keeps popping up as my knight in shining armor.
“Don’t worry,” Keaton assures me. “Whatever it is, Win will figure it out. He’s good at that shit—good at everything if I’m being real. Don’t tell him I said it though. I’ll deny it to the death.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
Jokes aside, he’s right.
Winston Constantine is the king of this godforsaken city for a reason.
Because no matter what, he always lands on top.
This time, it’ll be with me and our bird.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Winston
I wait until the waiter has dropped off an appetizer the Morellis ordered. They busy themselves with piling bruschetta onto their plates. Tension fills the air, but I sip my wine as though I don’t have a care in the world.
Truth is, I have lots of things worrying me, but I’ll be damned if I give off any vibes to these bottom feeders.
Perry discreetly shows me his phone. It’s a couple of messages from Keaton.
Keaton: Me and Ash have to bail.
And then, a few minutes later.
Keaton: On way to CC. We’re fine but call me as soon as you can. Cameras at your place, so don’t go home.
As much as I want to start demanding to know what the hell happened, I pretend as though the texts don’t have me on the verge of losing my mind. I give Perry a nod of acknowledgment. He puts his phone away and together we watch the Morellis plow their way through the bruschetta.
“I know you’re friends with the Mannford triplets,” I say to Leo, just as he’s swallowing a gulp of his wine.
“Teenagers? No, that’s more your style, Constantine.”
“The twatlets let you into their house the night of my birthday party. That’s when you stole Ash’s phone.” I cock my head to the side, bullying my way inside his mind with just one penetrative stare. “They’re your buddies.”