Page 59 of The Villains We Make

“I need to see him.”

Mr. Higgins nods. “Tomorrow. I’ll make arrangements.”

“What happens to Sullivan Fox now?”

“Police will arrest him, I suppose. Or at least bring him in for questioning.”

“This is a lot.”

“I know it is.” His phone buzzes and I see it’s his wife asking where he is. “I need?—”

“You should go home. Thanks, Mr. Higgins.”

“Of course, Ophelia. If you need anything.”

“I’ll call.”

He puts a few bills on the table to cover our drinks and leaves. When the waiter passes, I raise my hand to stop him, intending to order something stronger when the man standing behind him catches my eye. I gasp, and he smiles, slithers over to take the seat Mr. Higgins just vacated.

“May I?” Chandler Carlisle-Bent asks and doesn’t wait for an answer before he sits down.

The waiter, annoyed, just mutters something under his breath and walks away.

“Hear things are turning around for your father,” Chandler says.

“How do you know? And how did you know I was here?”

“Luck.”

“Right.”

“What? You think I’m following you?”

“Maybe. Maybe you’re having me followed like Ethan is having Silas followed. I remember you were inside the limo, Chandler. I remember you holding me down when Ethan injected me with that sedative.”

“That was a mistake. I…” he trails off, shakes his head. “I didn’t know what he wanted, and it all happened so fast. And then your boyfriend, well husband now?—”

“What do you want?” I cut him off, not interested in his lies because I know that’s exactly what they are.

He seems surprised by my interruption but smiles. “I came to say goodbye.”

I must look stunned because he continues.

“I’m leaving. Gordon has made his decision and if I’m to see a penny, I need to disappear.”

“What?”

“He thinks I’m dangerous for you. And you know,” he leans in conspiratorially. “I admit there was a time I’d have preferred you had stayed hidden.” He sighs. “You know I did try—with Gordon I mean. But I never was good enough, not when Claire came along. I was almost eleven by then. Let me tell you something. Growing up knowing you’re not wanted? It does ugly things to you.”

I think about Silas. He grew up unwanted at least by one parent. He grew up seeing every single day all he would never be allowed.

But Silas and Chandler are two very different people. Chandler is a liar and a manipulator. I see it so clearly.

“Did you hate my mother?”

He tilts his head, studies me, but never answers and I’m glad. He just goes on talking like I never even asked the question.

“But if you’d stayed gone, well, then the old man would have donated his money to some charity or other I suppose so maybe it’s a blessing, your sudden appearance in our lives.”

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