Page 105 of The Revenge Agenda

“Three weeks from now, yeah.”

I’m about to tell him not to worry about the receptionist on a power trip when Rush bursts out, “But then Ian will keep getting away with it! It’s not fair it’s not fair it’s not fair.”

The guy shushes Rush harshly before looking around. “What about Ian?”

“He’s a cheating cheater who cheats, and he needs to get his comeuppance.”

The guy leans in. “How do you know he’s a cheater?”

“Because he was using me to cheat on him.” Rush hooks his finger back over his shoulder toward me.

I wish I could evaporate from this situation.

Something in the man’s face twitches. “I caught him with my best friend. After we’d been together a month.”

“When was that?”

“Two weeks ago.” The man types quickly on his computer. “I can get you five minutes, but I have to warn you: Shore won’t care if you’re here to rat him out for cheating. He brings a lot of money into this place.”

“Good. We’re not here about that.”

“Best of luck, then.” The man steps out from behind the desk. “Follow me.”

We’re led down a long, glossy hallway to an office right at the back. It has a shitty view over the street below, but everything inside, from the art to the desk to the plush carpet, looks expensive.

Shore is sitting behind his desk, clearly confused at us barging in here, but the moment he sees me, his expression clears up.

“Hunter, right?”

I hold out my hand. “That’s me.”

“Huh.” His gaze strays to Rush. “I heard you and Ian parted ways.”

“I bet you heard some not-so-nice things about me in the process.”

Shore’s lips tremble like he’s trying not to laugh. “Didn’t appear very upset about you cheating on him, I will say.”

The noise that leaves Rush doesn’t sound entirely human. “Hunter did not cheat on Ian. Ian cheated on him. And I know that for a fact because I’m the one he was using to do the cheating, only he was also cheating on me in the process.”

I smile at Rush, even though we’ve obviously lost Shore. “Yes. All that. But also, you’ve seemed like a reasonable man the few times we met, and so I’ve come to you for help.”

He waves toward his chairs across from his. “I have a meeting in a few minutes, so you’ll need to make it fast.”

I hurry to take the seat. “I’ve been in Seattle for a few months now, and I’m struggling to find a place to live.”

He nods, eyes turning sympathetic. “Unfortunately, there’s a housing shortage at the moment, but?—”

“That’s not it. Because we don’t have much time, I’m going to lay it all out there. I called Ian for help—he at least owed me a favor—and not even to get a house, but to get my application in before it was already rented, and he all but admitted that he has me blacklisted.”

Shore’s attention sharpens. “What do you mean?”

“He wanted to make sure I couldn’t stay in Seattle, and he’s done a fantastic job of it.”

“I tried to get him to admit it,” Rush says. “But he wouldn’t.”

“So there’s no proof?”

My gut sinks. “He basically confirmed it on a phone call.”

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