Page 75 of Extra Dirty

And now I have more to lose. Now, Cat and I aren’t the only ones who would suffer. Now I have a daughter to protect.

“We need to make it believable,” I say, accepting my new reality.

Once again, I have a role to play. And despite popular belief, playing the villain has never been something I relished.

* * *

The next afternoon,I sit in the studio with a whiskey in my hand, knowing precisely what I’m about to take part in. What I’ve orchestrated. No matter how many times I justify it in my head, I know the truth. I’m destroying one woman to save Cat and my daughter.

And I’d make the same decision over and over again if I had to. Nothing matters to me more than Catherine and Chloe.

Unfortunately, Grace is about to pay the price for that.

“Send the text,” I whisper.

Vanessa cocks a brow. “Transfer the funds.”

The last time someone tried to blackmail me, I didn’t take the bait. And because of that, I lost Catherine. I lost the privilege of knowing and raising my child. Mia took the money from my father instead, and my life went up in smoke. I’m not taking the chance that something will go wrong this time.

I run my tongue over my teeth and take another sip of whiskey. “It’s done.”

She smiles and snatches her phone from the end table to confirm that she’s received the money. “I’ll send the text, and then I need you to have the plane ready.”

I glower at her. “Obviously. There’s a suitcase by the door. It has your new identity. News about your firing and being run out of town will surface tomorrow so you’ll have time to get settled.”

“Thank you, Jay,” she says with a sincerity that shocks me. I have no idea how she got involved with a man like Evan McCabe, but better her than someone who has no morals.

At least she can be bought.

And she protected my girls.

That’s the only reason I didn’t put a bullet in her head. Not many would risk their lives by coming to me like Vanessa did, even if she did it for money.

I watch the footage play out on the screen. We’ve been in the editing room since she finished her interview with Grace. An interview we’ll manipulate to destroy the James family.

It’s payback for all Theo took from me. Vanessa’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Not only will I get rid of her, but I’ll also enact the perfect revenge.

Theo hid Cat’s pleas from me. He hidmy child. And in return, I’ll spill all of his secrets.

But I’ll give them a way out.

No one can ever accuse me of not being fair.

There’s a way for all of us to walk away unscathed. And I’ll make sure they have no other option than to take what I offer them.

In the interview, Grace told Vanessa she wanted to start over. Her company is notorious for catering to wealthy men, but she wants to change that by taking on women as clients.

I already know who her first client will be. I’ll destroy Grace’s reputation and save it in a matter of days.

And hopefully that will clear my conscience. Absolve me for what I’m about to do.

I’ve killed men and felt less guilt than I do right now.

“Send the text,” I direct again.

We watch the video again, and I imagine Cat is doing the same right now.

An image of Grace and Vanessa appears on the screen of Vanessa’s phone, and a voice plays over them. “Tonight at six, Grace Kensington, the new owner of The Happily Ever After Makers matchmaking service, discusses her latest client, Cassius James, and the reason she’s no longer catering to billionaire men.”

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