Page 147 of High Roller

“She is lovely.”

Hunter clears his throat, clearly eager to get down to business. “Do you have any questions about how today is going to work?”

“What precautions are we taking in case Finn or one of his men shows up and tries to take me? I wouldn’t put it past him. He has eyes and ears everywhere.”

“That’s one of the reasons I’m going with you instead of Victor or his friends. I have enough influence in this city that he’s unlikely to try anything stupid. But if he does, you will be surrounded by a full security detail, and they will not leave your side until you are safely back here. Unfortunately, you may have to stay in this hotel for a few days after we are done, because he will be following you, and we don’t want to lead him to Victor’s house.”

I nod. “That would be a good thing to avoid.”

“If you’re ready, I’ll call security, and we’ll get going.”

I stand and offer a hand to him to shake. “As ready as I’ll ever be. I can’t believe I’m finally doing this. Should have done it years ago.”

Hunter squeezes my shoulder and pulls his cellphone from his pocket to alert security that he is ready for the cars to be brought to his private entrance.

I never thought I would get divorced, and I certainly never dreamed I would need multiple cars to make the trip.

When we exit the office, Victor is standing in the corridor, and Hunter asks everyone but one bodyguard to head for the elevator to give us a moment.

“Are you going to be OK?” Victor asks when we are alone.

I put a hand on his lapel. Today’s suit is a black jacket and slacks with a lavender shirt underneath that I’m almost certain Grace picked out because he came out of the bedroom grumbling about light colors and his ‘Mariposa’ being lucky she was cute, but he didn’t see me.

“I’m fine, Victor. This is a good thing. Maybe not exactly the way I envisioned it happening, but it’s a good thing.”

“I’m glad. I really want to kiss you right now.”

We have been cautioned not to be too intimate even in private corridors of the casino, so I know we can’t. I curl my fingers against his chest and smile. “I’ll save one for when this is over.”

“Good girl. Now go file for divorce.”

My stomach lurches as I realize just how close I am to doing exactly that. We’re heading to an attorney’s office where Hunter and Trinity will sit with me while I file the paperwork, and then we will all walk it over to the courthouse together. Somewhere along the way, someone is going to see me and snap a picture. More accurately, they are going to see Hunter and Trinity and snap a picture, and I will just happen to be there.

When we climb into the second SUV in a row of three, my hands are trembling, and I can’t make them stop.

Trinity wraps an arm tightly around me. “You can do this, Liliana. It’s going to be hard and scary, but you can do it. And we’re going to be here to support you every step of the way.”

“You barely know me. Why would you help?”

Trinity smiles. “Because no one should live in fear of abuse or betrayal. No one should be as terrified as you are right now.”

“I wish I could talk to Grace. Getting to talk to Victor was calming, but it would be even better if I could see and hear Grace for a minute.”

Trinity looks at her husband who is already pulling out her phone. “We’ll get her on the phone, honey.”

First, I hear Victor’s gruff voice on the other end of the call Hunter makes, and then it ends abruptly, and he types a number into his phone. At first, Grace doesn’t answer. Then she calls Hunter back. “Victor told me to answer a call from this number. Is everything OK?”

“Ms. Marsh, I’ve got someone here who wants to talk to you,” Hunter says, passing me the phone. Grace’s face appears on the screen, and I smile when her eyes light up.

“Hey, Grace. I hate that you had to stay home. I could really use you here.”

“Believe me, I would give anything to be there.”

I chuckle.

“Are you scared?” Grace asks.

I nod. “More than I thought I would be. But I trust Victor and Mr. Novak, and the others to keep me safe. I just hate that all of this is necessary.”

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