Page 17 of Strange Seduction
“Theo! I need eight hundred thousand dollars to refurnish the living room.”
Then, she dropped her voice into something firmer. “Absolutely not. That house was remodeled a year ago.”
Alyssa’s eyes widened dramatically. “Unbelievable. I bet if it was that gold-digging bitch asking, you’d give her the money!”
I flinched.
She dropped her voice again. “What did you just call her?”
And back to high voice, “You heard me! Always putting your favorite whore ahead of your family. Just like your father!”
Alyssa let out a sharp breath and threw her hand up. “And then they wenton and on.That was a month ago.”
I stared at her. “Wow.”
“Exactly.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
Alyssa tilted her head. “Because he doesn’t want you to worry about it.”
“And why didn’tyoutell me?”
“He paid me to keep quiet.” She shrugged. “But the funds are done, and so is my silence.”
“Right.” I dragged a hand through my hair and leaned on the railing, my phone slightly shaking in my hand.
It hit me harder than I expected.
I’dalwaysknown his mother didn’t like me. That was nothing new. But hearing it like this, hearing that she was still coming for him because of me—because hechoseme—was different.
Iwas the reason they were on bad terms. Maybe I made things worse just by being here.
The more I tried to shake the thought, the more it clung to me. I bit the inside of my cheek, willing myself not to spiral.
Alyssa’s face softened. “Carmen, babe. Don’t think too much about it. And don’t blame yourself. They’ve always had a crazy relationship. You’re just her excuse now that Kass isn’t around to pick at.”
I let out a shaky sigh. “I know. I just… I wish he told me.”
“Talk to him.”
“I will. Thanks for telling me.” I paused. “You want me to keep this between us? I’m sure I can come up with an excuse on how I found out.”
Alyssa gave me a screwed up face. “Girl, I ain’t scared of Delancy. You can tell him I said it.”
I laughed, the knot in my chest loosening just a little. “Goodnight, Alyssa.”
I hung up, staring out at the last bit of daylight slipping under the clouds, wondering how much more Theo was keeping to himself—and how long I’d have to wait before he let meallthe way in.
I Missed You.
Yep. Still Arrival Day.
No matter how deep I buried myself in the blueprints and bullshit, my mind kept drifting back to Carmen in the penthouse.
I’d told myself I was coming in for a few hours to tie up loose ends.
Just a quick stop.
