Page 84 of Lush

“Oh, you didn’t know? Noelle saw the whole thing—she told me later that night, but by then…” She gestured vaguely, as if the wreck was just an inconvenient punctuation mark in the middle of her story.

“Noelle is Laurene’s best friend. She wouldn’t tell you shit.”

“She might be her best friend, but she was a little drunk, a little emotional, started talking to me and I just listened. I figured it’ll be useful at some point. Guess it is now.”

I felt a knot tighten in my chest.

Was Noelle even a friend?

“Is there anything else you need to tell me, Blair?” My voice came out hoarse, as if I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to know the answer.

“Yes…” She exhaled, and this time I saw the tears fall down her face and I turned my head. “Dante’s been asking about Laurene, Reese.”

I went still. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms.Why?

Blair swallowed hard, her mascara smudged beneath her eyes. “He asked about the wedding, about her family, about what Laurene might know… what she might do.”

My pulse raced. “What she might do?”

“He wanted to know how loyal she is to you. If she’d ever turn against you.” Blair shrugged. “And if you’d ever turn against her.”

“Why the hell would he care about that?” A chill crawled up my spine.

“Don’t worry about it. I handled it for you.”

My teeth clenched. “Handled it how?”

“I gave him something else.” Her voice dropped. “He’s looking to expand; the Whitmores are trying to get back their footing in town. I heard some things about Miles, he’s sleeping with Gwyn Miller and she’s still with Eli… He seemed more interested in that. Doesn’t hurt they hate the Kings.”

The Kings had enemies everywhere—rich and richer, and those who just plain resented them. But Dante didn’t ask about them. He asked about Laurene.

“He smiled. Like he already knew that. Like he was testing me just to see what I’d say.”

Dante…He just keeps coming back.

“I know how to deal with guys like Dante, and I’m interested in making a deal formyfamily. I let him know he was barking up the wrong tree.”

“Then…thank you.”

“Save it.” Her eyes, still damp from earlier, hardened. “That’s the last favor you’ll ever get from me.”

I watched her hesitate and turn.

“No.” She shook her head. “I just hope this information doesn’t get out before your wedding.”

I opened the door before she could knock again. Laurene stood breathless, wide-eyed. “I got here as soon as I could. Something happen? Did you get hurt?”

She looked me over, and I shook my head no.

The truth. I just wanted the truth, damn it.

She stepped forward, my hands itched to touch her, but I stayed put.

“Reese.” She wrapped her arms around me, her hands coming to my face. “What’s going on?”

“Did you know Dante is asking around town about you?”

“What?” She recoiled.

---