"What am I missing?" he glanced around one of the vandalized bedrooms while Aurora sorted out some documents on the floor. "When we got here you were visibly shaken by this. Now you're passing it off as a prank?"
"I later realized that's what it is," She gathered up the documents, turned quickly, and left the room.
Jason went after her. "So who did you call?"
"Err..." she stuffed the documents into a fancy handbag she'd found in the house. "Maximo's son. He'll be here shortly."
"Why, is he a cop?"
"No."
He frowned. "Okay well, this is a crime scene. Your property was vandalized, and those hoodlums probably made away with something valuable. It sure looks like they were searching for one."
She hauled the strap onto her shoulder. "The more reason I'm not calling the cops. They'll show up with lights flashing, and within minutes the media would get wind of it, and then my family would have to deal with that on top of Maximo's passing."
He sighed, understanding where she was coming from. "So what now? We sit and wait till he comes?"
"No, we're leaving."
"What exactly would he do when he gets here? Call the cops himself?"
"Nobody is calling the cops." Her temple throbbed. She could feel a headache coming.
"So what then? Let me guess he's coming with a broom and mop stick to put everything here in order?"
She was about to speak, but faltered and looked away as her phone rang out. A glance at the caller ID had her brows furrowed. The caller was her butler in Manhattan. She dragged the accept button immediately.
"Hurley?"
"Good day, Miss Aurora. I'm so sorry to disturb but I thought it wise to bring something to your notice."
Aurora placed a hand over the speaker and glanced briefly at Jason. "Excuse me, I have to take this." she moved back to the bedroom and shut the door behind her. "Go on, Hurley."
"Right. There are two black SUVs parked outside the mansion, ma'am." the old butler remarked as he slightly pushed back the drape over a window at the other end of the line. "I wouldn't be so worried if the vehicles weren't completely tinted or if one of the occupants hadn't stepped out to glare at the building. They are looking suspicious ma'am. Plus, they've been parked out there since I got up at the crack of dawn this morning."
Her jaw clenched in anger. She didn't need a soothsayer to tell her that the mansion was the next place they wanted to destroy, and most definitely kill off her members of staff. The Calgrad mansion was the only property Maximo had transferred the deed to her name while he was alive. She had dreams of starting life over there with her baby boy and younger sister. She'll be damned Maximo and his mafia friends ruined her retirement plans.
"Call the cops immediately, Hurley," she said huskily. "Also, contact one of those security agencies Maximo uses. I want tight security at the mansion. I should be there tomorrow or the next."
He let the drape fall back. "Okay, ma'am. I'll commence arrangements for your arrival."
"Thanks." she ended the call and dropped onto the bed with a sigh.
It took Jason two seconds to barge in on her again. "What's going on, Aurora?"
She stood up with a groan. "Nothing."
"I overheard the conversation. Are you in some kind of danger? Don't even tell me no, because I see you're scared. Don't deny it. I can tell. So what's going on? What gives?"
"You were listening in on my conversation?" she frowned. "By the door? That's rude, Jason. You had no right to do that."
"I'm worried about you," he breathed. "I'm sorry if I overstepped, but I have the good sense to call the cops myself. Whatever's going on, I'm sure they can help."
Aurora sighed. Jason's insistence was slowly beginning to wear her out. It was difficult to explain that she couldn't inform the cops about the break-in. At least not before she'd checked to make sure the mafia gang didn't leave behind a threatening note or something that might reveal the state of her sister's condition.
"Listen," she smiled up at him. "There's nothing to worry about. I know who did this."
"You do?"
"Yes. My sister. She spent a few days here before Maximo passed. We argued, and I guess she decided to thrash the apartment before leaving." she lied. "There's nothing to worry about. Trust me."
He wasn't a fool to believe that, and his facial expressions portrayed it. His mouth cracked open again, but the doorbell rang.
"That must be Mariano. Excuse me." Thankful for the interruption, she beelined to the front door and pulled it open. The feigned smile morphed into a deadpan the instant her gaze collided with the man's standing on the threshold.
Mariano's gaze roamed from hers to Jason's. "Who's he?" he asked, one dark brow lifting sardonically.
Aurora stepped away from the door, "Jason. He was just leaving." she added regrettably. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone with Mariano but Jason had to step out of this mess now. It was the best she could do for him.
"What, no." Jason approached them by the door. "We were supposed to leave together while he handled whatever this is. I thought we could get lunch or something."
"I guess the plans changed." One corner of Mariano's mouth lifted in a grin, though there was no humor in his expression. "Get out."
Aurora glared at him, but he'd moved to stand in between Jason and herself, so he missed it. "Err," she stepped away from him. "Let's do lunch tomorrow, Jason. I still have a few things to discuss with Mr. Mariano. I'll call you."
****