Free ESCANTA: A James Thomas Novel (The James Thomas Series Book 1) by Brooke Sivendra Page B

breath. Kayla’s eyes crossed over to the couch. “He’s coming over.”
    Mak turned toward him. “It’s a surprise to see you here,” she said.
    “Likewise,” Deacon said. “I heard your trial starts tomorrow. Good luck.” He turned to Kayla and introduced himself, and then turned straight back to Mak.
    “How is everything going?” he asked, nodding in the direction of her bodyguard.
    Mak shrugged her shoulders. “It appears to be fine, but how would I really know?”
    His smile was beautiful, and innocent, but Mak thought underneath the persona he was nothing of the sort. “Everything is fine,” he said. It was a reassurance, and Mak wondered how he knew such things if he was no longer handling her security. Was he watching her too?
    “Good to know,” she said, looking past him to the group of men on the couch. “Boys’ night out?”
    “If that’s what you want to call it,” Deacon said.
    “I thought you’d be too busy for a night out,” Mak pushed back. She still thought about that meeting and wondered if the excuse they had given her was the truth, or if there was more going on. But perhaps she was overanalyzing it—she did have a lawyer’s mind, one that questioned everything.
    He smiled at her jab. “Believe it or not, I’m actually working.” When she looked down at his glass, he continued, “It’s Coke—you can have some if you’d like.”
    “Thank you, but I’ll stick to my martini. How is Cami? She’s much better company than they guy you hooked me up with.”
    Deacon chuckled. “She’s good. I’ll tell her you said so when I see her next. She’ll love the compliment.”
    “Please do,” Mak said, not sure what else to say.
    “I’ll leave you to it. It was nice to meet you, Kayla, and take care, Mak.” His eyes bore a hint of resemblance to his brother’s in that moment—in that there was something hiding behind them.
    “He seems too lovely to be true,” Kayla said, watching him as he walked back to his seat on the couch.
    “Doesn’t he?” Mak said, swallowing the last of her cocktail.
    “Is his brother equally charming?” Kayla asked.
    James Thomas seemed to be many things, but charming was not one of them. “ Alluring is probably a better word,” Mak said. “He’s less pretty but much more handsome. And he has a certain air about him…a certain energy. I barely know him but from what I’ve observed I think he’s very skilled at hiding who he is. I would say there are very few people who truly know him,” Mak said, stirring the toothpick around the empty glass. “But sometimes it’s not what someone says, or does, that gives away their secrets. It’s what they don’t do, right?”
    “Hmm,” Kayla said thoughtfully.
    “Are you done?” Mak said, looking at Kayla’s empty glass. “I should go home and get some rest.”
    “Yes, I’m done,” she said, sliding off the stool. “Good luck tomorrow, girl. You got this.” And there wasn’t a tinge of doubt in her voice.
    *
    Mak stared at him like she was looking down the barrel of a gun. He didn’t flinch, he didn’t falter, but he clearly didn’t enjoy it. She’d had him on the witness stand for two hours now.
    “Mr. Bassetti, when did you immigrate to the United States of America?”
    “In 1965.”
    “And when you immigrated, you did so with your parents, your brother, and your sister. Is that correct?”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “And have any other family members immigrated since then?”
    “No.”
    “So, all of your mother’s and father’s families remain in Italy. Is that correct?”
    “Objection!” Mr. Bassetti’s lawyer called. “Seek to relevance?”
    “I’m seeking to establish the family dynamic,” Mak responded, squaring her shoulders.
    “Overruled. Answer the question, Mr. Bassetti.”
    “Yes, they remain in Italy.”
    “And in which province do the majority of them reside?” Mak pressed on.
    “Objection! Your Honor, his family’s location has no relevance to this