Page 14 of Dirty Deceit

For the next hour, Ned sets up the whole con in front of my eyes. At several points, I almost interjected myself with objections, but he's too smooth and knows how to handle a room. Now Gemma looks very excited and eager to invest her money, and my heart breaks. How will I tell her that money is gone when the time comes?

"I understand everything you've told me, Mr. Kingsley. I'm willing to take the gamble. I have my emergency savings that I'm ready to invest. Seventy-five thousand dollars. Just tell me where to wire it to."

When we left his office, Gemma crashed into my arms.

"What's going on, darling?” I ask.

"I just have a really good feeling about all this. Soon, my money troubles will be over."

"Yes, everything points at it being a good investment, but you need to keep a clear head about it. The risk is always there."

"Of course, of course. But being positive always helps. Hey, I'd like you to meet my friends. We can tell them about the investment opportunity. They may like to invest as well.”

I crack my knuckles and try to act as normal as possible. "Sure, sure. But I'd like to keep you to myself for a little while longer if you don't mind."

"Can you go with me to buy a bed for my apartment? And a computer? I have to work in a couple of days and need to set everything up at home."

"Oh, I'd love to. Spending money is one of my favorite things to do—especially if it’s a bed.” I wink.

I offer her my arm, and she hooks her own into mine. Dread fills me for the first time in years, and I don't know what to do about it. Losing this money will destroy Gemma, but I owe Ned for all the time I was gone in Vegas. If I could just come clean to her, but I'm between a rock and a hard place. The more I think about it, the more I believe I should shut this all down. Today, I wish I was a better man for Gemma.

Chapter 6

Gemma

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity, and I just gave some random businessman my life savings in hopes that I could make enough to pay my mother's medical bills. Murphy has been a godsend, but I really need to talk to my girls. Alice, who is my bestie of besties is having some trouble of her own, and I don't want to interfere. Hailey is actively ignoring the group, and I don't know who to turn to.

In the end, I reached out to Amber. Not a lot of people know about her past. She used to count cards to pay for college. She stopped before anything could come of it, but she knew all about gambling. And that's ultimately what I'm doing, even if the investment is a sure thing. I invited her to Murphy's apartment, and thankfully, she's available.

"Thank you for coming, Amber." I walk her into the apartment and signal for her to take a seat on the couch. "I really need to talk to someone."

"You know I'm here for you, Gemma. Anything you need."

"My situation is… It's a long story and has many moving parts. The reason I called you here is because I made some investments that are supposed to have a high yield, and I'm having second thoughts."

"Why would you take on those types of investments? That's very unlike you, Gemma."

"I'm deeply in debt because of my mother's medical bills."

"How deep?"

"Half a million dollars."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Back up a bit. Why are we meeting here? Whose place is this, anyway?"

"Someone I met in Vegas. My apartment was broken into, and everything was taken while we were traveling. I came back to an empty apartment, and he offered for me to stay here. I didn't want to bother you guys."

"Is this the same person that got you into those investments?"

"Yeah… How did you…"

"Gemma, it's a con."

"But…"

"They're probably the ones who stole your stuff as well."

"Murphy wouldn't…I mean, he lives here—” I wave my hand at the luxury. “Why would he need money?"

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