The Evil Stepsister (Fairytale Killers #2)

Women Who Look Like You

Jack Rawlings was a tall man, made taller by how thin he was, his wide shoulders making him look like the letter T in a suit. Without his father present, he looked a lot younger.

He smiled, "Our game? You know, annoying my dad and Franco?"

Carmela didn't answer.

"Yeah, I mean, it's why we're doing this, no?" he prodded.

"What are you talking about?"

"I thought this was what we were doing. Playing games. The group we chat on," he showed his phone, "Can't be serious. You wished my father Happy Birthday four times this year! It's May!"

Jack laughed, "He was so upset. And then quoting his lectures with pictures of you and your sister dressed like in twincest porn? All that innuendo in good night messages?"

All Caterina. Carmela had no involvement in their online activity. 

"Sending women who look like you to my club, like some twisted advertising scheme?" Jack laughed, eyes waiting for explanations. It wasn't him who'd hired the girls. Ugh, Franco.

"Then you came to my club that night to... stalk me?" His voice lost all hesitation, "And trolled Franco and dad with that sex tape. I laughed the entire day--and I had back-to-back meetings. I mean, kinda extreme, but we don't know each other, so... I thought we were on the same page."

They were. Carmela couldn't speak.

"There's no reason to be hostile to our parents. My dad is losing his mind. He's a smart man--a hateful one, but he's always been smart--so much so that doctors see him functioning, although I see him different. He's got what, a few years more? No reason to be cut out of his will. Let the old man think he's running the show, while I get to live my life. I thought this was what you were doing with Franco. Indulge him, have the wedding, see how we fare. Get our money," he smiled. "Besides, someone needs to keep them in check."

"It wasn't me," Carmela found her voice. "Everything you described was Caterina. Well, except the sex tape. You saw her at the club, but it's me in that video."

His eyebrows poked her, "That was you? I thought it was unnecessary, but you know, you do you. Or whoever."

"I think you chose the wrong sister." The right sister was crying in a pillow, set with an empty one. Carmela needed to think.

"So, I guess I'll arrange for you to go back to Franco's?" Jack asked. She realized she would have to go home, to Caterina, to Franco, to--

"You should come, too?" she avoided the thought. 

"No need," Jack straightened. "Tell Caterina I'll see her at the wedding."

"What?!"

"Well, you and I aren't getting married, maybe she wants to? Keep the old men calm?" his smile spread.

"Please just talk to each other, once?" Carmela couldn't believe it.

"What is there to talk about? If she wants to she'll say yes, if she doesn't, I'll never bother her again."

Carmela had nothing. Jack started typing on his phone, "I'm texting my driver to take you back."

Outside the full wall windows, Riverside spread lights under the starless skyline. In a hotel room not far away, Carmela had undressed Oz in the seconds they needed to reach the bed, then she got down on her knees. His enthusiasm kept him going for maybe five minutes, but not by much. She liked him out of control, his hands kept grabbing her hair, pulling her in. Carmela had taken her clothes off next, in a slowed-down-by-alcohol dance that he watched, sitting on the bed, until she climbed him, pushing him back into the bed, hands trembling with anticipation. 

"You know what I've learned, once I saw my dad was losing his mind?" Jack Rawlings made her return to his living room. 

"It's why I go along with it," he said. "I get to watch him until I can convince him to accept a carer. He's too proud, right now. We were never close, but I don't want to forcibly commit him."

"So," Jack looked down at the confirmation on his phone. "There was no other way... than to embrace the crazy."