She grabbed my finger. “Sis, I called my attorney the moment the police arrested you.”

“When would your attorney take action? In fifteen years?”

“I might have had that coming.”

I stepped back out of her reach. “I have questions.”

“I’m sure you do.” Marissa asked Eli and the two bodyguards to step inside while we talked on the balcony.

The glass door closed, and still I couldn’t control the anger spiraling through me. “You poisoned my wine, offered it to Rudder, then made sure the police knew I’d given him my glass.”

“I could have you killed.”

“But you won’t because it drags your name through the mud, and you won’t risk an investigation until you’re ready to disappear. Aria would turn on you, tell the wrong people about her mother. That means eliminating your own daughter or convincing her a new identity overseas is best.”

Marissa laughed. “You think you’ve figured me out?”

“No, just making sensible observations. Why poison Rudder?”

“He knew too much. My business thrives on me being smarter than those around me.”

“Feng?”

“He’s different. A genius. We’re a good match.”

“And how will you recoup your cut of the revenue?”

“The car parts business now belongs to me.”

I assumed she’d formed a shell company to handle ownership. “Marissa, you have no need for me. So why am I here? You and Liu have a good thing going on.”

“I’ve told you all along I need someone to help me oversee business, and I’m constantly expanding.”

“Here in Miami?”

She shook her head. “I have a flat for you in London where you can keep an eye on Aria. You two behave, and you both live.”

“I see. And where will you be?”

“Anywhere I choose.” She reached into her shoulder bag. “Here’s your purse back. Congratulations, you’ve passed all my tests. Glad to see you finally have the guts to call me out.”

“What’s my cut?”

“To be determined.” She touched my cheek. “You’ve seen what happens to those who displease me. I used to think your aversion to weapons would be a detriment. But no more. Who expects a woman of organized crime who won’t touch a gun? I’ve found a couple of bodyguards who’ll ensure your orders are followed.”

“Your orders or mine?”

“As you’ve observed, I have my tentacles in everything.”

Did Marissa think she had me fooled into believing Aria and I were safe?

79

My original burner phone from Sheriff Wendall remained turned off and concealed inside the wig I’d originally worn to Miami and left on my closet shelf. I checked to see if someone had discovered it while I’d been a guest of Miami PD and the FBI. Nothing appeared out of place, and I’d memorized every item’s location in the drawers and the closet. I’d see Denton around one in the morning, and I wouldn’t sabotage my plan by contacting him. I’d taken enough risks and put friends and family in danger.

Aria lived behind her bedroom’s locked door. Not sure how the poor girl survived, but the distant sobbing tore at my heart. At least I could talk to her from the hallway, although anyone could hear our conversation. Marissa allowed her out for some meals, and she’d taken her shopping with Lee and Jess. Entertainment consisted of downloaded music and movies on an iPad—minus Internet connectivity.