Page 149 of Perfect Satisfaction

“To where West Moore is buried.”

Her eyes dart to Sula’s office then back to me. Somehow, I don’t think the older woman misses much. “Yes.”

“You’re a real son of a bitch, aren’t you?” These are the first words I say aloud when I’m alone at West Moore’s mausoleum. “And I don’t know if I’m talking about you or myself.”

Dropping onto the stone bench, I brace my elbows on my spread knees. My head and shoulders droop. “I’m not certain which one of us is more of a bastard in this instance. You, raising her to hate herself or me, who created a situation for her to doubt herself as the strong woman she is.” I laugh, but the sound isn’t pleasant.

I hear a familiar voice behind me. “Ward was just as stupid. He thought I was dating Beckett Miller.”

My head snaps up. “I must be hallucinating.” In front of me is Angela Leahy Burke.

She drops to the stone bench next to me. “No, Arek, you’re not.” To prove her point, she pinches the back of my arm.

I hiss in response.

“Coming to London is very traumatic for Sula. She hates this place, so I was going to surprise her.”

“Instead I tagged along on her trip here. I can leave.” I start to stand.

“Don’t you dare.” She yanks my arm so I sit back down. “What you were saying was just starting to get interesting.”

“I didn’t mean for it to be overheard.”

“Obviously. That’s what made it interesting. Have you tried to say some of it to Sula?”

“Lately, it’s like I’m back at ground zero.” I stare down at my hands. “We were so close. I honestly thought we were going to make things work.”

“Being photographed again with Liza Hina didn’t help your case.”

I gape at her best friend as dawning comprehension hits. “Should you be sharing this?”

Angie rolls her eyes. “Well, the two of you are doing a fine job communicating on your own.”

I chuckle despite myself. Then words come out, they’re just not what I expected. “The other members of the press already had your name, Angela. XMedia gave it to them.”

She doesn’t look at me. “I’ve long realized you were telling the truth. I reread what you wrote, trying to understand your motive for exposing me.”

“I—” I start, but Angie cuts me off.

“You have a talent for tearing people—in this case, companies—you loathe down. On the surface, it’s slick, but underneath, there’s a certain heinous disdain. I didn’t realize it then.”

I nod, unable to face this fearless woman. I rush out, “I’m so sorry, Angela. If I could go back, I would have . . .”

“Written about me differently? I’m not so sure about that.”

My heart thumps against my chest.

“Besides, I'm finally free because of your actions and Ward’s and Sula’s love.”

The imagery that conjures forces my head to jerk to the side. At least until she probes, “There’s more. Isn’t there, Arek?”

“Yes.”

“Will you tell me?”

I hesitate for a moment before breaking the promise I made to Liza. Angie’s eyes close in shared empathy. “That poor woman.” Then her blue eyes spear me when they flutter open. “Sula doesn’t know?”

I shake my head. “I’m not even certain Liza’s told Basset.”