“Were you aware Marissa made up mysteries and challenged Shelby to think like a criminal to outsmart the law?”

Clay startled. “What? I never heard a word of it.”

“Marissa asked Shelby to keep their games secret.”

Clay stared out the window, as though his thoughts were far-reaching. I let him process. The truth hurt . . . I knew firsthand with my brother’s betrayal.

“Shelby idolized her sister,” he finally said. “She’d never betray their relationship. That’s got to be why Shelby took the blame for Travis’s death.”

“Marissa asked for her help, and she agreed. I’m questioning if the problems in Shelby’s teen years correspond to Marissa’s prompting.”

“I’m afraid it makes sense. If I’m putting this all together right, Marissa never got past her jealousy. Instead she chose other ways to make herself look good and show Shelby as rebellious.”

“I’m not a psychologist, Clay, but my thoughts are the same as yours. If we are to end Marissa’s crime spree, then we must consider the worst-case scenario. She and Eli Chandler have been together for years.”

“Are you saying all the time she and Travis were married?” he whispered, the torment evident in his tone and on his face.

“Yes, according to what she told Shelby.”

“Aria could belong to Chandler.”

“Clay, leave it alone. You’re beating yourself up for something out of your control. If Chandler is Aria’s father, it doesn’t make her any less your granddaughter. What’s important is getting her and Shelby out of this mess safely.”

“You’re going to a lot of trouble to help Shelby and this family.”

“Sir, I’m in love with her.”

He peered at me. “I’m glad she has you on her side. But I’m still head of this family, and I’m not spending another hour here.”

76

SHELBY

Aria’s first day at the penthouse showed me a teen who had no illusions about her mother’s evil nature. The girl didn’t visibly shed tears, but her eyes were red. Most of the time she stayed in her room. There I heard the sobs.

Marissa told me to ready myself for brunch, not a surprise since I’d already met Feng Liu. I chose a black sleeveless dress, and Marissa wore bloodred. Lee drove us to Stage 7 restaurant. I found the meeting place risky. With all the happenings, why would my sister risk both of us being seen in a public setting known for catering to criminals?

“We leave our phones in the car,” she said. “The men have theirs.”

“Why when you know them?”

“You’ll find out. Do you drink?”

“Not anymore.”

“Good.”

Paranoia took hold, and I tamped it into place.

My sister never approved of spontaneity, and this morning had a purpose beyond meeting with the two men. If only I had the mental capacity to figure it out instead of faking confidence. One thing for sure, her reasons would benefit only her.

“Listen and learn.” Marissa tapped my arm. “Rudder will come on to you, and I need you to play along.”