Chapter 3

"You can't prove your innocence—stop wasting our time!"

I pointed straight at Serena.

"What if she can't prove she's telling the truth either?"

Serena's mother dropped to her knees again, wailing.

"My daughter's gift is real! You can't drag her through this circus! It's been documented for years. Half of New York has seen it for themselves!"

I ignored her, and let my eyes sweep the room.

"If it's so real, why is she scared to prove it in front of the Don? Let's settle this today. Then next time she opens her mouth, nobody will have to argue with her."

The crowd around us started nodding slowly.

Fair point.

A little test never hurt anyone.

Otherwise, what? She gets to decide who's lying and who's telling the truth with one slap?

Diana slammed her palm down on the arm of her chair.

The diamonds on her bracelet rattled.

"This is about *you*, Miss Sheldon. Don't drag other people in!"

"The Sheldon girl has a point."

Richard's voice. Sudden. Final.

Diana's face twitched. She opened her mouth to push back — too late.

"Test her."

I turned to Serena, who now looked like she was about to throw up. I smiled sweetly.

"So, Serena. What did I eat for breakfast? How much cash is in my purse? What perfume am I wearing?"

Serena's eyes flicked sideways. Then, robotic:

"You had — a green smoothie. Cash, cash…"

She stopped. Something clicked in her head. She dug in.

"I'm a lie detector, not a mind reader! How would I know what you had for breakfast?!"

Bingo.

I smiled and repeated her, word for word.

"Just a lie detector. Not a mind reader. Doesn't know what I ate for breakfast."

"So what?!"

"So nothing. Just establishing the ground rules of your little gift, sweetheart."

I locked eyes with her. Smile gone.

"I had oatmeal this morning."

Serena blinked. Confused.

"I brought a handkerchief in my purse."

Nothing.

"Huh. She didn't slap me. Must be true, then."

Now Serena caught up. She flushed red.

"That's because you weren't lying!"

I went on.

"My handkerchief has small roses embroidered on it."

Her eyes flashed. She lunged, hand raised, straight for my face.

"Liar! Your handkerchief has lavender sprigs on it!"

Fast. Vicious. Daisy jumped to block her, but the slap sailed right past her shoulder and cracked across my cheek.

My head snapped sideways. Skin burned instantly.

Serena wound up for another one. Daisy tackled her, taking three, four hits to the face without flinching.

I rushed in to pull them apart and nearly caught nails to the eye.

Richard's face darkened. His chief of security snapped his fingers.

"In front of Mr. Sinclair — get yourselves together! Separate them, now!"

I finally got Daisy back to my side. Dabbed at her split lip with a tissue. My chest ached.

Daisy shook her head, tears in her eyes, staring at my swollen cheek.

"Miss, I'm so sorry."

Serena rubbed her wrist, smug as hell.

"Sorry, Yvonne. Told you — I can't help it. Somebody lies, I gotta shut them up. She had it coming."

Daisy turned around, glaring at her, and said out of nowhere:

"I love daisies."

Serena's eyebrow shot up. She sneered.

"Bullshit! Your name's Daisy, but the flower you actually love is tulips!"

She wound up to charge again.

One glance at Richard's face and Diana cut in fast, silky-smooth.

"Enough, Miss Sutton. Behave yourself. You're in front of Mr. Sinclair."

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