Poisoned by His Love novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: Cora's Markers

"He's waiting for you in the dining room," I said. "Dinner's on the table."

Cora's head snapped around.

She had expected a doormat in a green dress, and she found me at the top of the stairs with a folder in my hand.

"Sweetheart," she said, and her smile snapped on. "How lovely of you to be so mature."

"This way."

I led her through the double doors.

The long table was full.

Four Vasari captains sat along the left side with napkins in their collars, big quiet men who had carried her out of a church.

Sandro's uncle sat at Sandro's right hand, silver and courteous, with a glass of water.

Gianna stood at the sideboard with a ladle.

Sandro sat at the head, and at the foot, in a clean shirt, sat my father.

Cora stopped.

"Darling," she tried.

My father looked at his plate.

"Sit down, Mrs. Pendry," Sandro said.

"I prefer to stand."

"Then stand."

Savannah came in from the kitchen with a tray of bread and set it down, and did not look at her mother.

Cora stared at her.

"What is she doing here?"

"Serving," I said. "Which is more than you ever did."

I opened the folder and spread the marker slips down the middle of the table, one by one.

They were pale green, and the signatures ran in a long loopy line.

Every one was stamped with a V inside a circle.

The captains leaned forward to look.

The uncle did not.

"What is this?" Cora said. Her voice was almost steady.

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