Page 157 of Green Flag
“Didn’t you?” Her voice heightened.
“Everly, I don’t think this is an appropriate conversation,” Livie said and took Nix’s hand. He looked Everly over, concern deep in his expression.
“Well, when he went to prison, who did you get them from?”
“He’s been sober for two years—”
Everly blinked and quickly gathered herself from her surprise. “But the other two years? It’s okay. I know it was him.”
Livie stood, pushing her chair back, her glare lethal. “I don’t know what you’re trying to insinuate here—”
“No, not Nix, my dad!”
Livie laughed, a sound full of relief, and I wished I could laugh with her as she sank back into her seat. “Everly, there is no way. Absolutely none. You need another glass of wine.”
Nix didn’t take his eyes off Everly, assessing her silently.
Everly and Nix shared a look that curled my toes. It was loaded with warning and anger.
Nix and Cris were friends. They argued like nobody’s business but I didn’t realise just how protective he was of his boss.
“Sorry,” Everly said and shook her head. “Shit, I think I may have had too many. God, I hate to have ruined our night.”
Livie leaned over the table to take her hand. “You haven’t. We’re all good.”
“All good,” Nix agreed but by the cold expression in his gaze, I wasn’t so sure.
“Let’s go and spray your face with some water,” Livie said and I kissed Ever’s cheek.
She bent and it looked like she may have kissed me back, but she whispered, “White wine when we get home?”
“With tequila.”
I watched her perfect ass walk away, forcing my eyes to the app where I turned on the vibrator. Straight to level two.
The second they were out of earshot, Nix gestured to Livie’s seat. “Sit.”
“Why? What’s—”
“Sit, Luca. This can’t be overheard.”
I did as I was told, only because of how serious he looked and how tight his voice was. I raised the bar to level three.
“Is she using?”
My thumb froze on the screen. “Using what?”
Nix breathed deeply through his nose and then stared at me as if I were stupid. “Drugs.”
“Oh, no, of course not,” I said, surprise adding laughter to my words. “She just wants to know if her dad is up to anything dodgy.”
His frown didn’t budge. “You’re certain? Because most people don’t get desperate over knowing where drugs are if they’re not hell-bent on using them.”
I shook my head. “She is 100% not using.”
His whole posture changed, shoulders sagging as he finally took a relaxed breath. “Thank fuck. I worry about her.”
“Me too.”
