Page 121 of It Starts With A No

Clary sat on the flat surface of the railing, then bounced right up. “Go,” she said as she took two steps away from the edge.

Andrea handed Clary the skillet. “If he moves, just whack him again.”

Clary nodded, and Andrea dashed back into the house.

Clary lifted the skillet. She was used to cooking with a cast-iron skillet, but she couldn’t flip it around like Andrea did.

With her bandaged hand, Clary tucked her hair behind her ear and picked up the throw. Then she turned to the table. “Where’s my phone?” She closed her eyes. She hadn’t touched her phone since …

Since she got into the bubble bath, so it must be in her room.

Clary was about to head into the house when she saw Andrea walking back out with her hands up.

As her housemate moved, she shifted her torso slightly to the side, revealing the person behind her.

“Tamara.” Clary stepped forward. “What are you doing?”

“Stay back!”

Andrea glanced back, just as Tamara raised her hand and slammed the butt of the gun into Andrea’s temple.

“Tamara!” Clary shouted as Andrea’s knees gave way and she fell to the ground. “She’s a law enforcement officer.”

“Was.”

“You don’t want to hurt her.”

Tamara pointed the gun at the unconscious Andrea. “Drop the pan.”

Clary released it from her hand, and the skillet thudded onto the grass. “Her father’s the police commissioner. He won’t be happy that you hurt Andrea.”

Tamara laughed once without humor. “Of course. You somehow collect the best people around you all the time, don’t you?” She glanced over Clary’s shoulder.

“You’re working with Neil. Why?”

“Why should you be the one to get all the favors? I’m a young, hardworking woman too. I’ve worked for Mr. Eolenfeld for years. Why do you get to be the CEO? Why am I always stuck as the assistant? Decorate the office,” she sneered.

Clary’s brows rose.

“What? You’re judging me?” Tamara went on. “You’re the one who’s lacking in morals, sleeping your way to the top.”

“I’m not Mr. Eolenfeld’s mistress.”

“Of course you are! Why else won’t he take me along when he goes to see you? Spa treatments. First-class tickets. He flies economy. He won’t even pay for more leg room.”

“The spa treatments are my birthday presents.” Something he and Grandma Moretti concocted to get her away from her work. “He doesn’t bring you along when he visits us because Grandma Moretti and I aren’t business. Besides, he doesn’t come to see me. He visits Grandma Moretti, and I visit Grandma Moretti. So we see each other at her place.”

Tamara rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Hand the watch over.” She extended her hand, palm up. “I know you have it.”

Clary threw her hands in the air. “I don’t.” At first, she hadn’t known which watch Neil was referring to, but now that she had a moment to breathe and think …

“Stop—”

“You saw who was holding the watch.” She paused, waiting for her words to sink in. “It wasn’t me.”

Tamara’s lower jaw twisted. “You stupid, stupid—”

“Why is everyone after that watch?”

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