Page 63 of Wicked Temptation

“Maybe this Barnett guy would do something like that, but not Alex, and either way, how could someone set up girls to OD?”

“Easy. Hire somebody to pass bad drugs around the club. There are always takers. What sold the setup was the cops showing up. Mamba talked to one of them who’s on the Serpents’ payroll, and he said their captain got the tip-off we were selling illegal drugs at the club. Which isn’t true.”

“And all this brought you to my door?”

“Strange how none of this bad shit started happening until we turned down Monroe’s deal, then I started thinking maybe you were in on it too.”

21

Lisbeth shook her head. Nothing Samson said made any sense. She’d known the Monroes for almost two years, and she’d been aware of their business dealings through her own business. Their reputation in the hospitality world and the community was stellar.

“Just last weekend, Alex was given a good citizen award by the governor of California. I was there, I witnessed it, and you’re telling me he’d receive such a prestigious award if he was guilty of the horrible things you mentioned?”

“C’mon, Lisbeth, corruption usually starts at the top. Most likely, the shit Monroe dips his fingers in gets ignored by these politicians because he contributes big bucks to their campaigns. From what Mamba says, it’s a well-organized setup, and it doesn’t happen in all his clubs, just those overseas.”

“And how does Mamba know all this?”

“The Serpents run this town, so they gotta know what’s going on.”

“And are they involved in the sex trade too?”

“Fuck, no. They don’t deal with anything that hurts women or children. They keep their business tight.”

Of course, he didn’t elaborate on the Serpents’ illegal dealings, but she couldn’t deny his accusations about the Monroes were shocking.

“It all just seems so unbelievable.” However, Edward’s business trips centered around the Orient: Singapore, Macau, and Malaysia.

“Did you forget Jeffrey Epstein’s friends included a few presidents and a prince of England?”

“No, but this is crazy. I refuse to believe it. This is just vicious gossip because the Monroes are wealthy.”

“The question is, how did they get all their money?”

Their money comes from hard work and—”

“These people have the resources to hide whatever they want.” Samson ran his fingers through his hair. “He’s a really bad guy.”

“Like you?”

“All right, I deserved that, but I’d never do anything to hurt you.” He stared at her with those haunting cerulean blue eyes. “You know that, right?”

How could such a bizarre story be true, yet every month a new story cropped up about a government official involved in a sex scandal?

“No, this is insane.”

“Don’t be naive.”

“No, you don’t get to play that card. I’m far from the innocent girl you knew back in New York. I’m a successful business owner, and I would certainly know if the man I’m about to marry and his family was involved in illegal activities.” Lisbeth crossed her arms over her chest in a show of strength. “Right now, the only one I hear breaking the law is you.”

She refused to admit that deep down, she was still the trusting girl who tried to see the good in everyone—even him.

“I make no excuses about what I’ve done and never tried to hide it from you. Even back in Brooklyn, you knew what I was about, maybe you chose to ignore it, but I never lied to you.”

“The first night in your office at the club, I saw the blood stains on your white shirt. Then I heard you in the hall talking to Jax and one of the bouncers when you slammed that guy against the wall.”

“We had problems even on opening night, which leads me right back to Frank and his friend Alex Monroe.”

“What you’re saying is ludicrous.” She pushed off the couch and glared down at him. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

---