Heartless People

THIRTY-TWO

Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.
—William Shakespeare

MINA.

There were certain guidelines that all politicians and their families followed. It only had three basic rules:

First: at some point there will be a chance to get ahead. Take it and never look back.

Second: people will talk, make sure you control what they talk about.

Third: always be willing to cut off the head of your enemies, especially when they're on their knees.

"Chris," I whispered, walking up behind him.

He didn't look at me, he didn't even speak. He just drank, as he stared at the sun as it set over the tree line in his brothers office.

"Adriana committed suicide. Lauren went to see her, and she just jumped. No one knows who she is though, so she only got a few minutes of air time before they went back to covering Saint Camila —"

"Mina, our sister-in-law was kidnapped," Chris said. "You can hold your vitriol for when she comes back."

"Chris , the shit has already hit the fan and Lauren is too blind to see it." When would he start being the man I knew he was? "They are calling in the fucking FBI. In a few hours, some of the baddest Italian bosses are meeting to bring down this family. What were you saying about Roy? Hes not paying full price anymore? Chris, step up. If not for me, then for Lauren. She needs you to have her back. We don't know who to trust, but were family, and until Mila gets back, we cant just wait to be moved around like chess pieces. Get in the chair and lead, or we will be pushed off the cliff."

I could see it in his eyes: that willingness to die for his sister. But there was also that hunger to lead, to be the Ceann Na Conairte.

"How did you know about the meeting?"

"Nobody pays any attention to Malibu Barbie," I said, sitting on the desk. "The question is, what are you going to do?"

He eyed me carefully.

"Chris."

"I'll let him deal with that. The very first thing we need to worry about is keeping Roy and the rest of the small fish in line. The election is in a few days. Hows your father doing in the polls?"

And just like that, he was a whole different person.

His win will cast a small shadow on Camila. We're thinking if she isn't found by then, we will make an announcement.

"Hopefully, she'll be back by then. This much attention on the family isn't good."

"Hopefully." Or not. "Do you have a distraction in mind?"!

He sat down, relaxing into his chair. "No. But Im forming one."

"Well," I jumped off the desk, "I'll leave you to your thoughts. If you need me, Im going to go spend time with Ethan."

"How is he?"

"Perfect in every way. He doesn't know anything is wrong, and Im going to make sure he doesn't miss any maternal love."

He kissed my palm. "Don't get too attached, baby. Lauren's going to keep him all to herself, and when Mila gets back, I wouldn't be surprised if they took off for a while after all this shit."

No. No one was taking Ethan from me. He was happy and I was going to make sure he stayed that way.

"Of course. Now get to work. Im serious. Im sure were bleeding money. At least this is one thing Lauren will be happy to get off her plate." Kissing his cheek, I left him. Stepping out of the office, I called the only person I knew would take the baitafter all, hed taken it once before.

"Hello, Officer Scooter speaking."

"Lauren Jauregui killed her wife."

"Im sorry, what? Hello? How did you know? Hello? Please, repeat that?"

Hanging up, I pulled the sim card out of the phone before snapping it in half. I walked into the blue and green nursery, and there he was, in his little white crib reaching up for the star mobile.

"Theres my boy. Who woke you up, huh?"

He spit up bubbles, as he looked up at me. It was amazing how much love was in his tiny body. Lifting him into my arms, I found myself drifting towards the window. Lauren had been so paranoid she had placed bars on it.

"Your mother is crazy. But don't worry, she's going to go away for a while, I promise."

Chris was going to be Ceann Na Conairte.

My father was going to be president.

And I would take care of Ethan..

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Mina, Mina, Mina...