Page 103 of Faking It

“Gideon, chill,” Ryan says calmly as I struggle from their hold. “The only thing you’re going to get is a fine when you beat the shit out of him. Although, if it were up to me, I’d just look the other way.”

“I’m not going to hurt him. We’re only going to talk.”

“And I’m the CEO ofMahogany Films.” Ryan rolls his eyes.

“Let’s do this the right way,” River suggests. “I took some photos. One of him, another of the car he went into.” He hands me the phone. “I’m going to send them to a friend of mine. She’s married to the commissioner of police.”

“These are New York plates,” I point out.

“Yes, but see, we’ve got this thing called technology, where Sally’s husband can actually call the cops in another state. I promise you, it works, Sir,” River replies, sarcasm heavy in his tone. I shoot him a deadpan stare, and he chuckles.

“I know how technology works. It’s the fact that he’s in the country. Dad sent me the police report where they mentioned having proof that he fled to Switzerland. Why would he come back here?”

River shrugs. “Or maybe he didn’t leave.”

“Where would the cops get that theory, though?” I question.

“Beats me,” River replies. “We can ponder the possibilities on the drive to the airport. Come on. We can’t miss our flight.”

Throughout the journey home, River gets into action, and by the time we land at LAX, there’s an APB out in Florida and New York for Jeremy Tate. The possibility of them finding him and recovering my money makes me weak with excitement. Fingers crossed, all goes well. Heck, I’ll even talk half.

River quickly hustles us through immigration, and after stopping for a few photos with some fans, we get in the car waiting by the curb. Ryan pokes my side as the driver takes off.

“I already suggested this to River,” he mutters, glancing at my bodyguard on the front passenger seat. “Just an instinct, but we shouldn’t mention this to anyone.”

“No one knows I lost the money, except you guys, Jared, Mom and Dad,” I mutter back.

And Ana.

The thought of her hits me like a solid gut punch, and I suck in a breath. Twelve hours of being distracted by today’s events put the memories of Ana on pause. I’d been doing so well. Until now. One fucking thought, and I’m missing her again.

Fuck me.

“Yeah, I still vote we keep this between us. Tell no one, especially your mom and dad.”

Not that I had any intention of telling them, but I’m curious enough to ask, “Why?”

“We don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up or anything.” He shoots me a pitiful stare. “Your mom is still a little fragile. We wouldn’t want to upset her.”

I nod. It makes perfect sense.

Ryan’s phone vibrates in his hand. His mouth turns down with a frown, then he looks up at me. “It’s Jared. He just messaged me in all caps.” He lifts the phone so I can see better.

TELL GIDEON TO ANSWER HIS GODDAMN PHONE.

Oh, boy. What was it now? Jared can be dramatic sometimes, but he never types all caps unless it was a serious thing. I reach in my bag and turn on my phone. Instant notifications make the device vibrate like crazy.

“Holy crap,” Ryan mutters, staring at his phone. “I’m just seeing this. Fuck.”

I see the string of messages from Jared, but I don’t even need to open them to know what they’re about. Not when there’s a notification above it, with a title in bold font.

Mahogany Films hired a convicted felon: how come?

Jesus Christ. Ana.

Chapter 37

Ana

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