VALERIA
It’s wrong. I know it is. It’s unfair that I’m threatening Stefano with something that he clearly is afraid of, but what other choice do I have? The mystery of Celeste is eating at me. I just have to find out if my hunches are correct or not.
Meanwhile, Stefano is staring at me as though I just punched him between the eyes. “Are you seriously blackmailing me for something you have no proof for?”
My face gets hot, but I just say, “Why? Are you going to do something about it?”
He sighs, and I know right then and there that I won. “I know that you don’t think this is right. But okay. Fine. I’ll help you gather data for your little research, as long as this remains between us. If we don’t find evidence within a week, I’m out, and you have to drop it.”
“Deal.”
I hold my hand out t
