Page 38 of Thorns of Malice

I'd forgotten how much they don't like each other. At least when they aren't pretending to be on the same team.

She takes a few unbalanced steps and safely makes it to her chair, plopping down on it.

A waiter comes by. "More champagne?" He hands me one and then passes out glasses to the others.

I almost take a sip, but then set it down. I point to another waiter two tables over and curl my finger.

He approaches and questions, "Can I help you, ma'am?"

I hand him the glass. "This is chipped. Can I get another one?"

He glances at the glass. "Where is it chipped?"

"It is. Can I get another one?" I ask, unsure if I was drugged or not years ago, but knowing I'm not taking any chances.

He exchanges my glass, and I smile. "Thank you." I turn back to the table and put my hand on Dax's thigh. "Such service. Although I prefer the frat boys with the thongs and bow ties, don't you, ladies?"

Lilly giggles. It's the same one I heard so many times when we friends; the same one fromthatnight.

Lilly's a wild card.

I'm unsure what side she's on, but I need to find out.

Quickly.

8

Dax

At least I wasn't the only one shocked, I think, looking at my sister in disgust.

She's drunk. She was already drinking when she came into my office earlier, demanding her money. But now she's hit it way too hard.

It's a rare occasion to see Avery this wasted, especially in public. She can't play her game well if she's intoxicated. So it's a position she doesn't put herself in often, but everything's falling apart around her. If I get my way, in no time at all, she'll be nothing but a poor alcoholic living on the streets.

Why is Lilly here?

It's been years since I last saw her. She's stayed away from everyone, so why did she choose now to reappear?

The looks on everyone else's faces are a priceless bonus to my evening. I may not have expected Ivy to be here, but neither did anyone else.

Bobby demands, "Ivy, tell us what you've been doing all these years."

I want to smack him. I can't stand the sight of him. But I also know he can't be happy she's here, knowing what he did and that I have a drug to pinpoint his crime. Yet Bobby doesn't show his cards, maintaining his confident façade.

Ivy waves her hand. "Oh, my life's boring compared to all of yours. Bobby, I hear you've been in the South of France?"

He freezes, but it's just momentarily, and I want to laugh out loud. He doesn't like that she's looked him up.

To get under his skin, I state the obvious. "Someone's done their homework."

Ivy bats her lashes. "I did. Looks like you're having a really good time in life."

Bobby chuckles. "That I am." He bypasses the champagne and takes a large swig of his scotch.

Ivy turns. "And, Lilly, what have you been up to?"

She shrugs. "Not much. I'm living out in California now."

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