Page 62 of Key Change

Would they be talking? He glanced at the box in his hand. No, he wasn’t ready to share. “Maybe tomorrow around lunchtime, when I’m home alone.”

“Okay. Enjoy your purchases. I wish I was there to help you enjoy them.”

Anthony put the items on the counter for the guy to ring up. “Same. Um… have fun tonight.”

“Ugh. Only seven more shows to go.”

By the time the show was over, they might be able to see each other in person again. He understood why Cillian’s agent had suggested their separation and wanted to ask what else she was planning. Cillian hadn’t gone into detail, and Anthony wondered if it was because he wasn’t sure or because she’d told him not to share. It was interesting that Cillian obeyed his agent without question. Meanwhile, he wanted to think of ways to lose the tail so they could hook up.

He hung up and put his phone in his pocket before giving the guy behind the counter a small smile.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.”

The cashier put his items in a paper bag, and Anthony tapped his card. He walked out onto the bright street and was unsurprised to see the man who’d been following him leaning against the wall on his phone.

Anthony walked over and opened the bag. “Do you want a photo for Hayden? I’m sure he’d love to know what I’m shopping for.”

The investigator stared at him, but then his gaze dipped to the contents of the bag. “I’m just doing my job.”

“Yeah. That doesn’t make it right. Maybe next time I’m fucking, I’ll leave the curtains open so you can take a good photofor him.” Anthony scoffed. “You don’t think it’s a little creepy that my older brother is obsessed with my sex life?”

The PI shook his head. “I don’t ask questions. I just follow my target.”

“Why does he want you to follow me?”

“I can’t discuss that with you.” He gave Anthony a quick once over then turned and walked away.

Anthony considered calling after him, but what was the point? Mick was right, there was nothing illegal about hiring the PI to follow him around. It was what Hayden did with that information that was the problem. Anthony groaned, frustrated, hating it but knowing he had to leave that particularproblemin Mick’s hands.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-TWO

Isabella didn’t replyto Cillian’s text for several hours. He was beginning to think he’d misjudged the situation. Perhaps he needed to ask a few others, but he’d started with Isabella because he knew her the best. He was feeding Snap before heading out to perform when she called.

“Hey.” Snap head-butted Cillian’s ankle, trying to hurry him along or trip him. It was hard to tell which.

“Hi. I wanted to call, not reply by text. I’m guessing he asked you to be a character reference, too?”

“Yeah.” Cillian ripped open the pouch of wet food and let it drop into the bowl, barely missing Snap’s head as he dived for his bowl. “He suggested there’d been affairs. Bianca never said anything to me.” Why would she? They weren’t that close, but they had hung around the same circles, and no one had ever hinted that she was that kind of person.

“He said the same to me. He knows about some of the parties and said he could make things difficult.”

Cillian sighed. So he wasn’t the only one. He shouldn’t feel relieved that Isabella was also being blackmailed, but… Fuck, he was a terrible friend, but knowing he wasn’t alone made him feelslightly better about the situation, and Dahlia would now have more evidence she could use.

“Mmm. My agent is handling this issue for me. It might be wise to call her.”

“What has he got on you?”

“I’m not allowed to say anything but talk to my agent. I’ll text you her details.” He washed his hands. “And now I have to abandon Snap and do some work.”

“Oh shit, I forgot you’re performing.”

“It’s fine. Do you know of anyone else he might have asked? You’re the first person I contacted… I don’t want to ask too many?—”

“In case it gets back to him,” Isabella said.

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