Page 150 of Lush

She lifted her chin. “He keeps secrets.”

“He keeps secrets because he’s the fucking devil,” I scoffed.

“He came to me with a blackmail photo, and instead of using it, he warned me. Maybe he’s not as bad as you think.”

I let out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Come on, Laurie. He’s a predator.”

“He didn’t have to help me.”

“No, he didn’t,” I agreed. “Which means when hedoescome to collect, it won’t be something as simple as a check.”

She lifted her chin, unwavering. “And we don’t have twenty million.”

“We have the money. Just not for these thieves. I think it’s time we call in the law.”

“No,” Laurene exhaled. “This can’t get out, it will ruin us. Our image and everything.”

“I can’t stand around and let you get hurt. What if they go after your family? My mom? More people we love getting hurt?”

We stared at each other, neither of us willing to back down.

Then my phone buzzed. I glanced down. A message.

Plane’s ready.

Laurene saw my face shift. “What?”

“I’m going to Vegas,” I said.

She nodded, sitting back on the bed, “Go. I’ll be fine.”

I didn’t want to leave her. Not now. Not when we were in the middle of this shitstorm.

“You need to have this talk with your dad. Once and for all. This time, he doesn’t control you. Don’t let him handle you. We’ll figure it out when I get back. My family is here. The security is here. I’ll be fine.”

She didn’t have to worry about that. He would never, ever hurt me again.

She reached for my hand, threading our fingers together. “Just remember why you’re going. Not for him. Foryou.”

For the company. For the mess Conrad left. For the damn truth.

I stepped closer, brushing my fingers against her jaw before tilting her chin up. “Don’t leave this room or the hospital without security. We’ll discuss what to do when I get back.”

“I won’t.”

“I mean it, Laurene.”

“I promise.”

I brushed my thumb along her jaw, then let go.

And I walked out, hoping I’d survive the fucking wrath of Harold and his mess.

The dry air felt rough and irritating on my skin. The jail loomed ahead. My legs were restless, like I couldn’t decide if I wanted to stand still or pace until my feet bled.

The city buzzed in the distance, the sound of traffic and life and all the bullshit that went with Vegas, but here, it was dead quiet. Just the faintest breeze kicking up dust and the distant whine of a siren that seemed to echo inside my skull.

After doing business with my clubs in Vegas for so long, you get to pull enough favors, and Harold should have been walking out those doors twenty minutes ago.

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