Page 13 of Taming Her Temptations

I clear my throat and open my notebook.

“Levi Wilde, 2021, in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine. ‘All we ever wanted was to make enough to survive. Now that we make more money than we ever knew was possible, it’s brought out some really weird expectations. We’ll never be those guys that send the wine back or adhere to some bizarre rule just because money is supposed to make us dignified. Hell no, we’re Montana boys at heart forever and can’t stand all that snobby stuff.’”

Levi goes to say something, but I lift my finger at him and flip the page to continue.

“Asher Moor, 2023, in an interview with the New Yorker. ‘Music is the only thing I could ever give a fuck about. Fancy events and fitting in with the rich kids? A waste of time.’”

I examine all three of them. They still look amused by me rather than caught red-handed.

“Dean Marquez,” I continue.

“Okay, okay.” Levi lifts his hand in surrender. “So what, people can’t change?”

“Come on, Levi. At least don’t insult my intelligence. Your eyes practically glaze over every time I even say the word gala. You guys spend your mornings throwing axes and walking around nude. None of it fits. So what is it? Did Madison and Steve ask you to keep tabs on me or something? Listen, I’m more angry than I ever knew I was even capable of being, but I’m not some crazy-”

“What? No?” Asher shakes his head. “We’re not conspiring with them against you.”

I take a breath. Admittedly, that was the scenario that got me really worked up.

I continue. “Okay, then you tell me what it is or I walk out that door and you find someone else to help you.”

Levi runs his hands through his hair, looking at the table. The other two glance sideways at him.

“Levi?” I say his name accusatorily. “What is it?”

He pulls his hands down and places them on the wooden table, then lifts his face up to meet my eyes.

“I’m only telling you this because of those damn bunny mugs. If you were in on it, then you wouldn’t have broken into your old house just to get Easter decorations.” His voice sounds tired when he says it.

“In on it? In on what?” My voice is loud now, trying to make sense of what the hell he is talking about.

“We think Steve is up to something sketchy. We thought you might be in on it too, but I don’t think that anymore. We need to get closer to his friends and his business partners in order to understand what’s really going on.”

“What?” I ask with genuine shock. Steve is a lot of things, but what are they even suggesting he’s involved in?

“Listen, we didn’t want to get you involved. You have enough shit to deal with.” Dean looks apologetic as he says it and I resent the pity I see in his eyes.

“I can take care of myself,” I say loudly, then look around me to make sure no one is listening. I lower my voice to continue. “I just genuinely don’t understand. If you think he’s up to something then wouldn’t Madison know? Just ask her? She clearly knows a side of Steve that I never even knew existed.”

“I don’t want to stress her out about this while she’s pregnant.” Levi matches my whispering tone. “But, Ruby, she’s noticed weird behaviors too. Something weird is going on with his business. And maybe if it was just a random guy she was dating, we would just leave it alone. We don’t give a damn if we lose the money we invested with him. But all her money is tied up with him now too and she’s carrying his child. We don’t have any choice. ”

I rest my elbows on the table and clutch my head in my hands.

What in the absolute hell is going on?

“Okay, then just tell the police or the Feds or whatever people do in these situations?” I say down to the placemat below me, not caring if my voice is muffled.

“We don’t have any evidence. Just some strange behavior and red flags. We need to get close to his business partners. His friends.”

I pause, letting myself really think about what they’re saying. My first instinct is to be protective of Steven and I absolutely hate that. But after so long by his side, it doesn’t feel right to want him to be taken down.

But that instinct grows dim in the light of a much stronger and burning desire. The desire to finally get some damn answers. He completely blindsided me and flipped my entire life upside down. Maybe it’s because he’s hiding something or maybe it’s because he’s a damn asshole. Either way, I want to know.

Hell, I deserve to know.

“Fine,” I nod. “Let’s do this the right way, then.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

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