“I think I should go with her.” Kylie grabbed Tinley’s hand. “I mean, I’m the one who gave her false hope; I needed to set the record straight.”
“Daddy.” She reached up on her tiptoes. “I’ll be fine.” She hugged him and then headed out the door with Kylie in tow.
KYLIE
Tinley and I stepped into the VIP Member’s lounge. Charlotte sat at the long mahogany bar that took up the whole back wall of the room. We weaved between small round tables and green, cushiony chairs to make our way to the back.
Charlotte sipped from a champagne glass. She didn’t notice us until we got close.
“Tinley.” She jumped up and hugged her. She failed to notice Tinley’s slight flinch or how Tinley stepped away as soon as she released her. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Yeah.”
Tinley was stuck. I guided her to a chair at the bar. I stood and gripped the back of the empty chair I had purposely put between them.
“So, what did you find out?” Charlotte turned to me. “You’ve had over a month; surely you have enough to put Josh away. Or at the least, open a formal investigation. Have you briefed the FBI?”
“Charlotte.” I flexed and re-flexed my fingers. They ached. “I don’t work for the FBI anymore. I am not working undercover. And I’m happy to tell you that there is nothing to report.”
“W-what?” she yelled.
The guards near the door stepped forward. I held up my hand to stop them.
“Charlotte. I need you to listen to me carefully.” Tinley leaned forward. “I am not being held here against my will. I have not been brainwashed. After all the shit I’ve been through, the universe saw fit to send me a man like Josh Burroughs and friends like Rayna and Kyler and give me a life. One I never thought I would have or deserve. I am really happy. I’m not being coerced or held captive. I’ve been there and now what it feels like.”
She stole Rayna's little joke, but it did nothing to relieve the tension in the room.
“But...” Charlotte didn’t have words to respond.
“Things are so good for me here. I am fine.”
Charlotte turned toward me.
“It’s true.” I took Charlotte’s hand. “Tinley made it through something that would have broken most people, and now she actually gets to have a life again. I came here for the wrong reasons—I know that. But being with her and Rayna these past few days, I don’t know. Something loosened in me. Something I’ve been carrying around since my sister died. I’m ready to have a life again. Maybe you’re ready, too.”
She pulled her hand away. Her gaze moved between Tinley and me.
“Well,” was all she said. She downed the rest of her champagne, stood up and pulled her dress away from her body. It settled around her feet. “I guess there’s nothing more for us to say.”
“Where are you going?” Tinley stood up.
“I trust the money will continue to be deposited into my account.” She pierced her lips and waited.
“Of course.” Tinley answered and sat back down. Folding her hands in her lap. She would not give this woman the reaction she was hoping for. Good for Tinley. I also knew once Charlotte left, it would take Tinley a while to get over it. The adult composure was a fragile shield; I knew that once Charlotte was gone, the little girl inside would have to process all the hurt.
I took her hand to show her I’d be there to help her through it if she needed me.
“My plane doesn’t leave until tomorrow.” She stepped away from the bar. “I’d like to stay in one of those fancy suites if your boyfriend can swing it.”
Tinley hopped off the bar stool and headed toward the door.
“No problem.” I answered for Tinley. “I’ll have someone bring you a key. Good luck, Charlotte.” I nodded.
Tinley stopped at the door. “Bye, Charlotte.”
“Bye.” She waved in Tinley’s direction.
I joined Tinley at the door. She extended her hand, and I took it and gave her a comforting squeeze. She gave me a smile, and it filled my heart.
