Page 101 of Daring You

“Are we really—” Taryn starts, but I’ve already thrown open the door.

We almost plow into the back of Yang’s back, but I’m not noticing that. What I’ve picked up on is Ben’s face as he’s studying Yang, colorless and flabbergasted.

“Ben—“ I say behind Yang’s broad back. I’m even harder to spot with Mike flanking him.

Whether it’s my height, my proximity, or my relation to the men who’ve had ample time to nuke his carefully crafted world, Ben’s eyes go to me.

And they ignite.

Yang turns. “Miss Hayes. I was unaware you were going to make it.”

“Um,” I say, catching my breath, shockingly at a loss for words. But the way Ben’s looking at me…

“We hit bridge traffic,” Taryn pipes up beside me, remembering what I said to her earlier. “But we wanted to be here, too. Mike hasn’t been altogether honest with you about—”

“What ever do you mean, Taryn?” Mike’s soft voice cuts her off.

“Astor?” Ben’s voice, the best of them all, comes through. “What the fuck’s going on?”

“The…” Christ, I still haven’t found my voice. Speak up. “There’s been a mix-up…”

“We were just in the middle of explaining to Mr. Donahue, here, about his options,” Yang says, and it’s in a tone that warns against further unprofessionalism. “Perhaps you’d like a little privacy, Mr. Donahue?”

Ben blinks at being spoken to.

“Privacy?” he repeats slowly. “I’m pretty sure I’ve lost that. After you’ve brought three other people along with you.”

“Everything you say to us is completely confidential,” Yang lies.

It’s that untruth and Yang’s complete ability to smooth out any impropriety, whether it be to extend a motion deadline or tell a man his life is about to be put back in danger, that finally releases my vocal cords.

“Don’t say another word,” I say to Ben.

Yang guffaws. “Excuse me, Miss Hayes?”

“Not. One. Word,” I repeat. “Get out of here.”

Ben looks between me and the crowd of people in suits—and one neon green guy behind us, frowning.

“Do it,” I repeat. “Ben, you have no obligation to speak to anyone here. Whatever you say to us will not be privileged—”

“Now wait just a minute—” Yang shouts.

“—and in fact can be made part of the court record for our defendants. So get out, Ben. Leave.”

“It’s too late, Astor,” Ben says. “Your boss has already made clear what he knows.”

Ben enunciates Yang’s title like it tastes bitter and sour.

No, oh no. I suspected, but suspicion always contains some hope that you could be wrong. On the drive, I thought, maybe I could get here in time. Maybe I could stop this before it starts…

Except, I’m the one that lit the match.

“You can still walk away,” I plead to Ben. “You don’t have to say anything more.”

“Yeah, because it turns out, you said it all for me.”

When he says it, Ben’s words hit me like bullets. I recover enough to respond, “I didn’t say a word—”

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