“We need to talk,” I say, gesturing away from the ears of the kitchen staffers.
She nods, her voice barely above a whisper. “Massage room?”
We don’t wait. We slip out the side hallway. The spa wing is empty this time of day, the staff busy setting up tiki torches or folding napkins into swans for whatever ridiculous theme Evie has decided on for the parties.
I turn to her. “How long has the number been texting you?”
“That was the first one.”
“And you’re sure you don’t recognize it?”
“I would have deleted it if I did,” she snaps.
She paces to the massage table and leans against it, arms folded tightly over her chest.
“You think it’s him?” she whispers. “Your father?”
I hesitate. “I swear to God I didn’t tell him, but he has his ways. It’s possible.”
“Jesus.” She presses her palm to her belly.
He doesn’t know.
Hecan’tknow.
He would never let her out of his grasp again.
“You haven’t told anyone?” I ask.
She shakes her head.
“I thought I had time,” she says. “To figure it out. To disappear after this event wraps. The guys are paying me an ungodly amount for this. Enough that I can move somewhere he’ll never find me. Rebuild my career after that fiasco that nearly cost me everything. And now?—”
The phone buzzes again in her hand.
She doesn’t look at it.
She hands it to me.
I flip it over and read the second message.
I left something for you.
EPISODE 229
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
River
She’s ready. So ready.
Emily.
My Emily.
I can’t stand that she fucked Sebastian, and though I’ve already punished her, she has no idea what she’s in for now.
I’m going to fuck her so violently that she’ll never even think of fucking another man again.
