Page 40 of Bitter Secrets

“Two,” Roth predicted.

“Exactly. The status and privilege he took for granted will disappear once he’s destitute and realizes he can’t duplicate his father’s success. That’s punishment enough.” She waited a full minute for his agreement, but when she didn’t get it, she prodded his arm. “That’s punishment enough, Roth.”

He stopped at a traffic light and glanced at her. “What do you care what happens to him?”

“I don’t. I just…” The red glow on his face was disconcerting, making him appear slightly demonic. “I know what you’re capable of.”

“You have no idea what I’m capable of.”

His soft voice made her shiver.

“You’re right. I don’t know, but the little I do know terrifies me.”

The air buzzed with tension. The urge to look away was overwhelming, but she resisted. The red haze flashed to green as the light changed. He accelerated before he broke the staring contest and looked back at the road.

“It's not your place to worry about him. He made his choices. Now, he has to live with it.”

CHAPTER5

Jasmine opened her mouth to argue that point, but her vibrating purse distracted her. She pulled out her phone and stared at the name on display.

“Who is it?”

She hesitated long enough for the call to go to voicemail. “Lyle.” Even as she tried to put the phone back in her purse, it vibrated again.

“Answer it.”

The fact that Roth could hear the vibrations was a serious downside to the soundproof interior of the Rolls-Royce. She shot him a suspicious glance before she answered, leaning away from him, so he wouldn’t be able to hear the conversation.

“Hello?”

“What the fuck, Minnie?”

The explosion on the other end startled her. She jerked, knocking her head against the window. “Ow! What the hell, Lyle? Why are you yelling in my ear?”

“Did you forget that we’d be checking in with you?”

She rubbed her head. “No. What does that have to do with anything?”

“Care to explain why you didn’t respond to any calls or messages from Colette or Ariana today? They’re ready to call the cops.”

“Oh.”

“Oh what?” he snapped.

“My phone was off.”

“Why?”

“I was flying.”

“Flying,” he repeated in a flat, disbelieving tone.

“Yes, I’m in London.”

“You didn’t say anything about a trip the last time we talked,” he said sharply.

“It was a last-minute thing.”

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