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ELLIOT: And that’s why your retainer fee is going to increase by ten percent.
I laugh, pocketing my phone. I know he’s giving me a hard time, but I also know that when push comes to shove, Elliot’s always going to have my back. For a fee, of course.
When I head out of my office, Olivia’s awakened. She’s in the kitchen, Violet strapped into her baby sling while Olivia stands over the stove. By the smell of it, she has bacon and eggs going. There’s also avocado and onions out on the counter.
My chest tightens at the sight of them. Do I tell Olivia where I’m going? How would she react knowing that I’m about to have a conversation with Holly—a woman that she’s convinced is my wife? How will she react if she finds out that I went and didn’t tell her?
Before I can think of something to say, she turns and looks at me. A soft smile breaks out over her face. There’s a slight tinge of embarrassment there, as if she remembers last night as clearly as I do and isn’t any closer to knowing what to do about it?
“Morning,” she mumbles.
“Morning.”
I don’t hesitate to go to her. I pull Olivia into my arms, smooshing Violet between the two of us. The little one makes a protesting grunt and I laugh, pulling away.
“Sorry, Vi. I just can’t resist her.” I pat Violet’s head and plant a kiss to the crown of it.
“You’re heading out already?” Olivia asks, curious.
I nod. “Yeah. Uh, I got a meeting.” It’s not exactly a lie.
“So early?”
“Yeah. Something last minute. Absolutely blows.”
She regards me carefully. I wonder if my face gives away that there’s something deeper going on. It must not, because she brushes her fingers through my hair. “Don’t keep ‘em waiting, then. I think I’m gonna take Violet out to the park again today. I’ll send you pics.”
My heart swells and seizes at the same time. After her mistrust of me, the fact that she doesn’t question gives me hope.
Too bad it’s shadowed by a lie.
Before I end up telling her the whole truth, I leave. Guilt grips me, but I tell myself that it’s for a good reason. I’ve gotta get as much as I possibly can on this Holly chick. I have to catch her in a lie, a trap, something.
I just need her gone.
15
REESE
It doesn’t take long to get to the address Holly gave. It’s a semi-nice apartment complex, fenced in with an open gate in the front. The complex’s buildings are painted a faint baby blue and they all seem to have huge windows and decent-sized balconies. A couple of people are out and about, walking their dogs. A family of a mother and two small children in swimsuits skip toward what’s probably the community pool.
Holly must not be hurting for cash if the grounds are any indication. So why is she fucking with me?
Well, there’s a huge difference between tens of thousands and tens of millions.
I park and put on a snapback that’ll hide my face well. Before I even get out, I look around. In the years I’ve been with the Bulls, I’ve gotten good at clocking papz and their cars. None in sight as of yet.
She lives on the second floor. Frigid A/C blasts me like an Arctic wind when I go inside the building in question. I take the stairs two at a time—I’m in a hurry to get this nonsense over with.
Her apartment is number 13. Ironic, because the lack of luck she’s brought me feels like a sledgehammer breaking down every brick I’ve laid down to get to where I am. I knock, eyeing the number with irritation.
When the door opens, my brow goes up. Holly answers in little more than a thin, emerald green silk tank top and a pair of silk shorts to match. Her wavy red hair cascades over her shoulders. I get the faint whiff of floral perfume.
“My, my,” she purrs. “You got here quick. Eager?”
I’ve seen more subtlety in strip clubs. I roll my eyes and push past her. “Eager to get this shit over with.”
She chuckles behind me, closing the apartment door. As she does, I look around the inside. It’s a fairly simple space. Neutral furniture. No pets. Honestly, it feels like the home of a serial killer. Too sterile to be trusted.
