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“That hurts, Lia.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
He laughed. She hated his laugh, like he’d won the lottery on a stolen ticket.
“Listen, I’ve given the whole thing a lot of thought, and I’ve decided I don’t want the money, kid.”
“You don’t want a million pounds?”
“Nah. I’m no blackmailer.”
Lia didn’t believe him for one second.
“All right,” she said, and waited for the other shoe to drop. He dropped it very quietly.
“I’d rather just tell the papers about you. That’s worth more than a fortune to me. Good night, Ophelia. See you tomorrow.”
He rang off before she could get in a last word.
Lia stared at the phone in her hand.
That utter bastard.
She should have known. She absolutely should have known he would play her like this. He’d probably never even wanted the money from her. He just wanted to make her panic and scramble and beg, borrow and steal the money while he sat back and laughed and laughed.
Lia thought she might faint. Her lungs burned. She was dizzy. She sat down, still clutching her phone. She called August right away, before she could pass out.
He answered after two rings and she told him what David had told her.
“I don’t know what to do,” Lia said, eyes hot with tears. It felt like she had a hand around her throat, choking her. “What do I do? What should I—”
“Lia,” August said, his voice sounding preternaturally calm. “Listen to me. Stop panicking.”
“I can’t. I can’t. If he calls the papers, it’ll be front-page news all over the country, probably the world. My brothers will get tortured at school. My parents will get ostracized. Georgy’s family will never speak to her again. I—”
“I’ll figure something out,” he said. “Sit tight. I’ll get it sorted. And please, don’t panic.”
“What should I do instead?” she demanded. Not panic? Like telling someone jumping off a bridge not to scream.
“The statue of Aphrodite in your room?” he suggested. “Say a prayer to her.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“What...what am I supposed to pray for?”
“Ask her to help you.”
“Why? What good will that do?”
“She won’t listen to me,” August said. “She might listen to you. Will you do it?”
How could she tell him no? She’d do anything for August, and she told him that.
“Thank you,” he said.
“August, I’m scared.”
