Page 160 of Sweetheart: Part One

“I know a lot about that contract you signed,” she said. “I’ve worked with Sweethearts before. Those contracts have a few loopholes. If you ever want to chat, I know how to do it safely.”

My brow furrowed. “You want… dirt on the Crimson Fury pack?” I asked.

On Drake?

Fuck that.

“A bit personal, don’t you think?” I asked. “If you’re Love’s ex?” Not very professional for a journalist.

Her smile turned bitter. “Just business.”

“Doesn’t seem like it, if you’re seeking me out,” I said.

Her smile was now a half grimace, and her voice turned nasty. “You’re not special just because you got signed,” she whispered. “Don’t delude yourself.”

“Right…” I said again. I didn’t have time for heeled bitches today. This was literally the coolest event of my life—one that could very possibly be blown up by Ebony at any second—and I had jelly hearts to photograph.

She got the hint, handing me a card and vanishing into the crowd.

Thank god.

Half the pretty wobbling deserts were gone from the platter by now.

I paused after I’d taken my shots, scrolling my phone and looking her up.

I snorted.Private journalist my butt.The best thing she had going for her was a blog with a couple of hundred followers.

FORTY-ONE

DRAKE

Love: Where the fuck is Vex?

Love: How have we lost our Sweetheart?

Rook: IDK. Was watching her like a hawk but she’s like a kid in a candy shop in here.

Love: Fuck me. She’s going to get herself into trouble.

I breathed a laugh, tucking my phone back into my pocket as I headed for the bathrooms.

Time and space were paramount in places like this. I’d been fine until Vex was gone. Now, I needed to step away and catch my breath.

Not long left, just the awards ceremony before we could go. I wondered if I could maybe convince Vex to watch some movies with me before we went to bed.

We spent the days together anytime we could, but I missed spending the nights with her. I shut my eyes for a moment, pushing that thought away. Then I turned the corner and nearly ran into someone head on.

“Oh, sorry—” I cut off, seeing who it was.

Then I froze, my blood running cold.

Zeus Rogan, current lead alpha of the Lightning pack, towered over me.

He stopped in his tracks, eyebrows raised as he took me in. Then that crooked half smile appeared on his face. “Magpie,” he drawled. A million memories scored my vision. “How are you doing these days?”

I couldn’t move.

Just last night—last fucking night—I’d needed Ebony to drag me out of this nightmare. And here one of them was, in the flesh, leering at me like a wolf who’d just cornered a mouse.

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