Secrets and Lies 5 (The Ferro Family) Read Online Free Page B

dick wander. It’s disturbing how he remained married to the ice queen, Constance Ferro, and she just looked the other way. Why do women do that? Is it pride or something else? I can’t look the other way, but then again, it wasn't Connie's mom screwing her husband.
    Beth makes some last second adjustments and then stands back, arms folded over her chest. Her index finger taps against her cheek. “Something’s off. We need a little boost to make him think twice, which means we need some clout. Bling. Neck money.” She rushes to her dresser, grabs a jewelry box, and pulls out a pair of gold earrings and hands them to me. “They’re small, understated on purpose. It’ll make them reconsider your bargain basement threads.”
    I frown and look at the new suit. “It looks cheap?”
    “Not cheap, but not designer. There are two possible explanations. One, you’re poor. Two, you’re rich and don’t waste money on stupid shit. The clues are in the little things—rings, watches, shoes, and gold. Here, take this too.” She hands me a watch with a black leather band and a plain face embossed with Roman numerals. I put it on my wrist. “It’s pretty.”
    “It should be. It’s Le Couture. I got that for my graduation from my grandparents. It’s a twenty thousand dollar watch. The earrings are Tiffany’s. This ring is Cartier.”
    “I can’t wear this stuff! What if I get mugged? Beth!” I turn green and start to shuck the jewelry like it's made of acid.
    She places her hand over the watch and shakes her head. “It’s part of the game, Kerry. If you want to do this, you need all the pieces in place. This stuff is your shield. It deflects questions about your socioeconomic rank and status. It says you’re one of us.”
    “So, I knew you guys were loaded, but I didn’t realize you were like a millionaire in the making. Why do you hang out with me?” My face scrunches up, and I wonder why she decided to befriend me. I don’t want to be a charity case, but she never made me feel like that—even though I am one.
    “Holy shit! Don’t even. I’m not doing this with you right now!”
    “But—”
    “But nothing. I’m Beth. You’re Kerry. We’re both in college, we both have problems, and we've got each other’s backs. Isn’t that enough?” Worry pinches the corners of her eyes, and I realize she’s had enough fake friends to last a lifetime. Beth doesn’t dress like she’s made of money, but apparently she is. I’m only wearing a few things from her jewelry box, and I suspect they're worth more than most families make in a year.
    “You’re right. It’s more than enough.”
    “Right. Now the last thing that needs addressing is that stupid Fitbit. You can’t wear it.” She points at the black band on my wrist. “Where’d you get it? Did you have that the other day?”
    I try not to blush and glance at my wrist. “Carter gave it to me. I can’t take it off. He’s all excited about it and he’ll think I don’t like him again. I’m not going through that.” I unfasten the thing and bend down and strap it around my ankle. When I stand, I beam at Beth. “Problem solved.”
    She snorts. “Yeah, now you look like an inmate instead of a health nut. Good call.”
    “I’m not taking it off.”
    “Take it off!” She hollers back as I grab my purse and rush to the door.
    I leave it on and kill the Fitbit convo. “I’ll be back later. Wish me luck.”
    Beth rolls her eyes and smiles hard. “Are you going to drive over there?”
    “Yeah, why?”
    She dangles her keys in front of me. “Not in the bus. That just screams that you're totally fucking crazy. There’s no other explanation for it.” We both start laughing, and she shoves her keys into my hand.
    Beth slaps me on the back and walks me to the door. “You got this.”
    “I got this.”
    “You’re a badass.”
    “I’m a badass.” The borrowed confidence straightens my backbone, and I’m ready to play hardball. I’m walking in,