Page 56 of First Comes Revenge

I laugh. “Um, yeah. And so is Gray Wolfe.”

“Why? So you and one of the bosses hooked up and it didn’t work out. Does that have to mean anything for the business of publishing your book?”

“I can’t get involved with Jameson again. And I want to earn this. I don’t want some kind of charity from him.”

“Charli,” Dani says with a voice that reminds me of Mom. “What matters? People reading your book, or how it gets in their hands?”

I sigh. “I just can’t, okay? If I stop and think about it too long, it’ll only hurt worse. I’m going to keep moving forward and just… not.”

“What about Vaughn?”

“What about him?”

“He hasn’t reached out? Isn’t he pissed that you got the better of him?”

I shrug. “I blocked his number, remember? I’m sure he’s pissed. I hope he’s tearing his hair out.”

She grins. “You really got him back. Like, I’m proud of you. Fuck around and find out, right? You made sure he found out.”

I smile a little. I’d like to pretend I’m a big enough person that I don’t care, but I’d be lying. It feels good to know how thoroughly I won. Vaughn didn’t just try to take my book. He tried to take a piece of me. Now I can say I took back just as much from him, and at least I know there’s some justice in the universe. It is certainly a win, but the victory feels empty in my current circumstances.

“Did you ever find out what Aubrey’s angle was?” Dani asks.

“No,” I say. “But she at least knew something was up. She got really weird when we asked about who actually wrote the book at the mixer. I mean, obviously she knows she didn’t write it. But, yeah, I don’t know why she agreed to play along with Vaughn.”

“You should ask her.”

“What?”

Dani sits up straighter, eyes lighting up. “Ask her. Don’t you want to know?”

I lick my lips. “Kind of? But that seems like a bad idea. What if she tries to have me murdered or something? I’m guessing I’m not her favorite person right now.”

“Meet her at a coffee shop or something and scream if she does anything weird. You’ll be fine.”

“I’m glad my sister is so worried about my safety.”

“Hey, some risks are worth taking. I’m curious. I need you to do this. If not for you, then for me.”

I roll my eyes, but I have to admit I am deeply curious. Cutting off contact with Vaughn has been harder than I’ve let on, mostly because the petty part of me has wanted to know how he’s taking all of this. He screwed me over, I got him back, and his plan to steal my book even backfired. I haven’t had access to his email in weeks, so I don’t know what kind of backlash there was. Aubrey might be the only way I could find out, short of reaching out to Vaughn, which I’m absolutely not doing. “Okay,” I say slowly. “Maybe I’m a little curious. But what if I ask to meet her and she shows up with Vaughn?”

“Definitely. If Vaughn is there, you don’t even show yourself. Just bail.”

“You’re talking like this is happening.”

Dani shrugs. “She posts all that shit on Instagram. I’m sure she checks her DMs. It’s not like you couldn’t get in touch with her.”

I sigh. “Why do I feel like I’ll regret this?”

* * *

Aubrey is waitingwhere she said she’d be. She’s at a table in the corner of a busy coffee shop in the middle of the day. I ready myself, then head inside.

I don’t bother getting a coffee. I’m just here for information.And maybe a little satisfaction.God knows that has been in short supply these last few weeks.

“Hi,” I say carefully once I’ve sat down.

“Hi,” she says, voice measured.

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