Page 64 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

My lips are a slash of crimson across my ashen complexion, so I give the mirror my back while a resigned shame floods my system. I can’t stand to look at myself right now. “Yes. It’s official.”

“Good. Now, I want to know why I’m still behind bars.”

“Dom––”

“Don’t give me bullshit excuses right now, Bianca,” he growls. The sound brings back memories of my childhood. Our childhood. One that wasn’t exactly filled with rainbows and butterflies, but the truth is simple. He sounds just like our father.

“I’m not giving you excuses,” I whisper.

“Bullshit. I should be out of here by now.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Are you?” he demands, his tone dripping with contempt.

“How’d you get a phone?”

His laugh causes goose bumps to pickle along my arms. “You’re surprised? The Castello name still holds weight in this world, Bianca. I suggest you use it. And quickly.”

“If it holds so much weight, then why do you need me to do your dirty work?” The question slips out of me before I can reel it in, but I know the mistake I’ve made as soon as I realize I can’t take the words back.

Shit.

He’s going to kill me.

Refusing to cower even though he can’t see me, my spine straightens.

Then I wait.

“A phone is a little different than freedom, don’t you think?” he murmurs.

I stay quiet.

“I’d be careful if I were you, Bianca. Your clients aren’t the only ones with dirty laundry. In fact, I think you both share the same load of dirty little secrets. I’d hate for your new husband to see the video tapes of you spreading your legs for all of Burlone’s associates, being passed around the room like a bottle of beer. Or maybe we can show him the one with you and his buddy, Reed.”

My hands tighten around my cell, but it doesn’t stop my entire body from shaking. “How do you––”

“How do I know he was one of your clients?” Dominic’s dark chuckle makes my stomach churn. “You might think Burlone kept your clients confidential, but I’m your brother. We’ve already discussed how well I know you. You should stop underestimating me.”

The threat is clear in his voice, turning my warm blood into a slush of ice and hate. For my past mistakes. My own brother. And for the woman my mom would be ashamed to claim. Me.

My gaze shoots to the entrance of my bedroom, terrified I might find Jack in the doorframe, but the door’s still blissfully closed. If only that knowledge could ease my shame.

Jack can’t find out. Ever. If it weren’t for him, I might even have the courage to tell Dominic to go fuck himself, but the idea of Jack learning about my past and the dirty, unspeakable things I’ve done for money…I can’t let that happen.

Licking my lips, I whisper, “What do you want me to do?”

“What we’d already discussed before you considered turning your back on your own flesh and blood. I think Higgins might be our best bet.”

“He’s not––”

“A bad guy?” Dominic interrupts, dripping with condescension. “Yeah. I know. You’ve said that before. But he still decided to pay someone for sex, and for a man who’s supposedly happily married, a decision like that can have unfortunate repercussions, don’t you think?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, desperate to disappear. “I don’t want to break up his marriage––”

“And I don’t give a shit. Higgins holds leverage in this world, Bianca. Enough leverage to get me out of here if you can persuade him to do so.”

This is insane.

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