Paper-thin Betrayal. 3

On the ride back to the hotel, Luca asked Vance if he knew anything about that particular clause in the contract and had chosen not to tell him.

Vance said he knew nothing about it and that this came as a shock to him as well. But that was a lie.

Mr. Vance did know because Mallow had told him.

Mallow had approached him on the night of the New Year as they stood under the night sky illuminated by fireworks. He had a drink in one hand and the other in his pocket.

Mallow told him he had a hunch Luca might disagree with that term, and if he did, it might cause some trouble.

Vance asked him why he had agreed to let it be part of the deal, and Mallow answered that WAS the deal, and Nevada would not agree to have Luca behind the wheel if he still bore the name Rennick.

Mallow did not know why they wanted this, but he had agreed to it regardless, keeping the best in mind for his client.