Page 153 of High Roller

I turn away from the vile story on the screen that paints me as an emotionally abusive housewife with nothing better to do than make her husband’s life miserable.

What must my family think? And why do I care? My family is how I ended up in this mess to begin with.

Then again, if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met Grace and Victor. And even though it’s only been a short time, it’s hard to imagine life without them. At the same time, if I hadn’t gone through with the marriage, Trinity Novak might not be on death’s door right now.

“It’s like Grace’s butterfly effect.”

“Excuse me?”

My face gets hot, and I blink rapidly. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

I tell Victor what I was thinking about, and he smiles when I recount how Grace told me the story of the two of them meeting in high school.

“She’s right. You do have a killer smile. I wish we saw it more.”

His expression goes stern again and I can’t help but laugh. “You don’t have to be tough around us, Vic.”

“Vic?” He raises an eyebrow at the nickname, and I frown.

“Sorry. I guess I should have asked before just shortening your name.”

He shakes his head and cups my cheek in his palm. “It’s OK. I like it. But not in front of other people, please. Aside from Grace.”

“Agreed. Thank you.”

“For what, Spitfire?”

“Letting me in.”

His thumb grazes my cheekbone, and he leans down for a kiss. “You didn’t really give me a choice.”

Chapter 44

Victor

Ican’tgettheimage of Trinity Novak’s blood on the pavement out of my mind. Not when I know it was supposed to be Liliana’s.

I pace my office after arranging dinner for the girls. The adrenaline of the day’s events is wearing off, and I can’t bring myself to join them in the bedroom for fear I’ll fall apart.

My phone is ringing off the hook, and I’m ignoring it unless it’s Matteo or one of the other club owners.

I’m ready to hurl it out my window.

Owen’s name lights up on my screen and I answer with a shaky voice.

“You sound like shit, mate. Are you OK?”

“Fuck off. I’m fine.”

Regret settles in my stomach, and I immediately correct course. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. I’m not fine. But I’ll get there. Do you have any updates?”

“Trinity is finally in surgery but it’s going to be a long night. Hunter isn’t leaving her side, but he’s on the warpath.”

“With good reason. I’m ready to get out there and join him as long as he’s not going to blow my head off.”

Owen snorts. “There’s no guarantee. It’s a miracle I still have a job. I’ve scoured footage and phone logs and everything else I can find. My best guess is someone inside the attorney’s office made a call. Do you think Liliana could identify them?”

My hands shake as I rearrange papers on my desk. “I can ask her. She’s resting right now, but I’ll wake her.”

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