Page 128 of Beautiful Cruelty

Pulling out my phone, I dial Megan's number. She picks up on the first ring.

"I'm on my way," I tell her before she can speak. "Should be there in about an hour."

"Good. I'll grab us a table in the back." Her voice sounds tight with worry.

"See you soon." I end the call and pull out of the garage.

Familiar rain patters from the murmuring gray sky against the windshield as I get onto the road.

Soon, the distant skyline of Seattle comes closer through the gentle rain, familiar yet somehow different after these three weeks. I keep checking my rearview mirror, scanning for anything that might suggest I'm being followed.

Not that it matters,I remind myself.

Lenka told me that the car has a tracker in it. If Vadim wants to find me, he can and he will.

Still, my skin prickles with unease. Each red light feels like an eternity where I'm exposed. Every turn could lead to an ambush.

But above all else, the weight of what just I learned about Nathan squeeze against my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Three weeks…

The timing can't be a coincidence. But I push that thought away before it can fully form. I can't start jumping to conclusions. Not yet. Not before Megan can tell me more information.

A car honks behind me and I realize the light has turned green.

I press the gas, heart racing as I make the turn toward Three Birds.

38

LACEY

I slipinto Three Birds with my ring turned to hide the massive pink diamond. I scan the mostly empty café until I spot Megan in our usual corner booth. Her face lights up when she sees me, but worry creases her brow as I slide in across from her.

"You look different," Megan says, studying my face, as she passes me a cup of coffee.

"A lot has happened since you last saw me."

My hand instinctively rises to touch my necklace and Megan's eyes narrow when she sees it, her coffee cup freezing halfway to her lips.

"Is that Mom's necklace?" She leans forward, squinting. "The one Freddy pawned months ago?"

I curl my fingers around the delicate chain. "Yes."

"How?" Her eyes widen. "Where did you get that?"

"Vadim got it back for me." The words tumble out before I can stop myself.

"Vadim? VadimStravinsky?The fucking billionaire whose suit you took by accident from Mrs. Klossner's?" Megan's voice rises. "What the hell is going on?"

I take a deep breath. "I married him. In Paris. About a week ago."

"Youwhat!?" Megan grabs my left hand, forces it open, and gasps when she spots the massive pink diamond and my wedding band. "Lacey, what the fuck?"

"It's complicated?—"

"Then uncomplicate it for me. Because I thought you were in Paris to take some time to yourself by blowing up your honeymoon budget." Megan's voice rises, drawing looks from nearby tables. She lowers it to a fierce whisper. "Instead, you tell me that you married a billionaire fashion mogul who can afford diamonds the size of fucking golf balls? What the fuck is going on?"

"Nothing is going on!" I yank my hand back. "You have to trust me."

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