Page 67 of High Roller

“I barely know her. But she’s been kind to me, even when I’ve been less than pleasant with her. And she calls me Grace.”

Zara frowns. “Do you prefer Grace?”

I nod and duck my head when she gives me a look that says she pities me. “Gracie... I mean Grace. You have to be upfront about these things. Don’t let us keep calling you something you don’t like. I’m deeply sorry for never confirming what you prefer to be called. Everyone introduced you as Gracie, and I made a bad assumption. Forgive me.”

I wave my hand. “It’s fine. The nickname stuck even after the bullies went away.”

Zara closes her eyes and reaches for my hand. “I am so sorry. That’s terrible. I’ll spread the word at the club. But if it’s going to stick, you need to correct people when they get it wrong.”

“When did this become about me?” I mumble, suddenly uncomfortable with the conversation.

Zara chuckles. “Sorry. I’m just very protective of the people I love, and I want to see them treated fairly. Names are important to me. I picked mine years ago and have learned to demand that people use it instead of the name I was born with. I’m glad Lili calls you Grace, if for no other reason than it brought our error to light.”

Mercifully, she lets go of my hand and gets the conversation back on track. “What else can you tell me about your conversations with her? No detail is too small.”

I give her as many details as I can remember, and when I’m done, she stands to leave. Before she goes, Zara pulls me into a tight hug. “We should get lunch sometime, Grace. I’m learning tonight that I haven’t put in enough effort to get to know you.”

Her kind words send a blush up my neck as she kisses my cheek before heading for the door. I promise to find a time to have lunch with her in the next couple of weeks, and before I finish my bedtime routine, I send her a few possible days we could meet for lunch somewhere. My curiosity is piqued, and I wish I could be there with Lili when Zara talks to her, but something tells me that won’t be possible. I’m irritated with Victor for keeping this from me.

Before I fall asleep, I send him a text.

Grace:I want to talk about what happened. I’m sorry I freaked out. Please don’t transfer me until we’ve had the chance to talk.

I set the phone down and pull my comforter back to climb into bed.

As I switch off the lamp on my nightstand, my phone lights up.

Victor:Go to sleep, Mariposa. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m sorry too.

Chapter 22

Lili

Thereissomeonestandingoutside my door, and they seem to be having an animated discussion over the phone because I can’t hear the second person. I put my ear to the door and try to make out what they are saying, but it’s pretty muffled. The soundproofing in these rooms is impressive.

I hear the beep of the lock, and I jump back, expecting Victor or Grace.

Instead, I’m greeted by a tall woman with long, dark hair. She’s wearing a dress clearly tailored to her exact measurements, and heels that make her even taller.

“Hello, Lili, I’m Zara.”

“Luke’s wife,” I say.

She raises an eyebrow. “I want to ask how you know that, but I won’t.”

I smile. “Victor took me into an office the other night and Luke, Owen, and Matteo were all there. Your name came up, and Luke got this sappy look on his face that made me want to vomit.”

Zara grins. “He is madly in love with me. It’s a little disgusting, but I wouldn’t want it any other way since I’m equally smitten with him. When a man who looks that good in a suit is willing to put on a flannel shirt to make you happy, you don’t question it.”

“What are you doing here? Let me guess. Grace was unable to get enough out of me, so they brought you in?”

Zara smiles. “I hope that’s not what you think of Grace. She thinks a lot of you and feels terribly about your situation. I’m here to take you to lunch.”

I frown. “You mean they’re letting me out?”

“Not far, I’m afraid. Just into the main dungeon for a sandwich from the shop.”

“They’re good sandwiches. But I would kill for a proper meal.”

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