"Why is he calling back?" Jamie asks.
I answer it. "Hello?"
"Julie, my apologies. I meant to ask—is your sister Jamie with you?"
I glance at Jamie. "Yes. She's here."
"May I speak with her?"
I hand the phone to Jamie. She takes it, her hand trembling slightly. "This is Jamie."
There's a pause. Then her eyes go wide. "Yes. Okay. I'll be there."
She hangs up and hands the phone back to me. "He wants me there too," she says.
"Why?"
"He didn't say. Just that my presence is needed."
Ryan stands and starts pacing. "This is insane. Why would Dean want Jamie at the trust reading?"
"I don't know," I say. "I guess we'll find out."
CHAPTER
FORTY-EIGHT
JULIE
Wednesday morning arrives too quickly.I barely slept last night. Every time I close my eyes, I see Dean's face. That cold, calculating expression he wore when he told me about the building and the loan and the five-year trap. I get dressed in a black sheath dress and heels. Professional. Controlled. I pull my hair back into a low bun and put on minimal makeup.
Jamie wears a navy suit. Ryan drives us to Gregory's office in downtown Seattle, and the whole way there, none of us speak. When we pull into the parking garage, I feel like I'm going to throw up.
"You okay?" Ryan asks.
"No."
"Do you want me to come up with you?"
"You can't. Gregory said only Jamie and I."
He nods. "I'll wait here in the car then. Text me when you're done."
Jamie and I take the elevator to the fourteenth floor. The law offices of Hale & Associates are sleek and modern, all glass andsteel and expensive furniture. The receptionist greets us with a professional smile. "Mr. Hale is expecting you. Conference room B, down the hall on your left."
We walk down the hallway in silence. My heels click against the polished floor. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. When we reach the conference room, I pause with my hand on the door handle.
"You ready?" Jamie whispers.
"No."
"Me neither."
I push the door open. The conference room is large, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. There's a long table in the center, and seated around it are five people. Gregory Hale at the head of the table. Then two men in suits I recognize as being Ancre board members. And Asher. I knew he’d be here. But still. I freeze in the doorway.
He looks up, and our eyes meet for half a second before I look away. Asshole. He looks like shit. Dark circles under his eyes. His jaw tight. He's wearing a suit, but it looks rumpled, like he slept in it. Good. I hope he’s fucking miserable.
"Julie. Jamie. Please, come in," Gregory says, standing. "Have a seat."
