Page 128 of Lush

“I’m not one to dig around in other people’s business,” I said. “But if we’re talking about trust here, Dante, it’s important we understand where everyone stands, don’t you think? I’m just curious how far your relationship with Blair goes.”

“Blair and I have some mutual benefits. But not a relationship.”

Shit.But that doesn’t explain her relationship with Harold.

“Mutual benefits?”

“Her father just bought a soccer team in Vegas. We go watch the races and place bets. She’s…a bookie. Nothing that you’re thinking of.” Dante stood. “Do we have a deal?”

Blair is taking bets?

I nodded, rising slowly. “I think we do.”

“Let’s see where this partnership takes us then.” We shook hands.

As he walked to the door, I followed, keeping my expression carefully neutral. I didn’t trust Dante. I didn’t trust anyone but Reese.

And I needed to tell him Dante was a suspect and a huge threat we had to contain.

I stepped out of my office, and there he was—Reese.

When our eyes met. The corners of his mouth turned up. I ran into his open arms, and we kissed.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

He smiled. “Afternoon quickie.”

I laughed, and his lips met mine with another soft kiss.

“I came to invite you to lunch. But I see you’re busy.” He glanced over at Dante, squinting his eyes.

I reached for Reese’s hand, giving it a light squeeze, and I said, “Toby and Blair?”

Reese blinked, his mouth parting before he cleared his throat. “I was coming to tell you.”

I sized him up. His eyes were dark, guarded. But I couldn’t push him too hard now; not when Dante was watching.

“Thanks for the conversation, Dante. It was enlightening.”

The mayor walked toward us, his gaze flickering between us, and I felt Reese stiffen next to me.

“Anytime, Mrs. Ashbourne,” Dante drawled. He glanced at Reese for a split second, eyes narrowing, before he pushed off the doorframe, taking his sweet time as he walked past us. “See you soon.”

CHAPTER 25

Reese

“Are you positive?”I sucked my teeth, the sound echoing in the quiet room as I leaned back in my chair.

Nathan spread the papers out in front of me. “I am. The numbers don’t lie, Reese. Money’s been slipping through the cracks for years.”

Frustration coiled in my chest. “Years?Be specific. How many years?”

He tapped one sheet. “Six. Maybe a few years before that is what my gut says. We’re still finalizing numbers, but the earliest discrepancies go back to then.”

We were losing money when Conrad was leading.

I leaned forward. “And you’re telling me no one caught it? Not you, not the auditors, not a goddamn soul?”

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