Page 33 of Risky Bet

Unfortunately, someone was in his office and she wasn’t quite brave enough to bust in wearing just a robe. So, she went back to seething and reading.

A knot formed in her stomach as she realized just what Memphis was on trial for.

She called her mom.

“What was the name of the company that took your money?” she asked when the older woman answered.

“Miller Holdings. Why do you ask?”

“Fuck,” she bit out.

“Language, Rylee. Just because you gamble in sin city doesn’t mean you have to curse like the devil.”

Her mother had always taken issue with her swearing, and she had issues with her gambling as well.

“Oh hush, Mom. It’s just a word. I need to go. Thanks for the information.”

“Wait. Why did you want to know?”

“I can’t get into it now, Mom. But I might be home sooner than a month.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful news,” her mother exclaimed.

“Hang up the phone, Rylee.” Memphis’ voice was dark.

“Gotta go, Mom. I’ll call you later.” She ended the call and slowly turned.

“Tell me why you’re on trial.” She held her breath and waited for him to answer.

“It’s complicated and I’m still trying to sort out all the pieces. Is your mother Kathleen Marie Colton?”

Rylee nodded.

“Fuck.”

“I think I better leave.”

“Wait. Please.” His voice was pleading.

She was already searching the room for her suitcase, though.

“Rylee, stop. You don’t understand. I need you here. I told them you’re my live-in companion. If they show up and you’ve moved out that could be bad for me. I’ll likely go to jail until the trial. And now that it looks like it involves your family, if they wanted to, they could add bribery and witness tampering to my charges.”

She stared at him.

“Are you fucking kidding me? Why would they put you in jail?”

“Lying to my house arrest officer?”

“House arrest? Is that what the new security system was all about? You’re under house arrest? Jesus. Why would they add bribery or witness tampering?”

He dragged a hand through his hair. “This is going to make you hate me, but when I had you sign paperwork and made a copy of your ID, it wasn’t just an NDA or to transfer money to you. I did that too, but it also went on some documents that say you’re part owner of the villa and we live together. If it looks like I moved you in, and bought you a house, it’s going to look like I’m bribing you not to testify against me in a trial. But I swear, I had no idea who you were when Hunter hired you.”

“God fucking damn it. How am I supposed to trust anything you say now?”

“You don’t. And I respect that, but I’m begging you to stay and hear everything I have to say. You don’t have to listen to me tonight, and you don’t have to honor our deal, but you do need to stay here for your own sake and mine.”

“I’m not doing anything for your sake. If I have to stay here, please leave my room and give me my God damn clothes back. I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

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