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“Colette, you said you’ve been desperate…why?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
Colette shook her head. “You say that now….”
Nick had never seen his cool and austere sister so shaken. There was the only thing he could think of that would have her act like this, and he recalled the night of the gala.
“Tell me about Phil’s spending.” He tried to make his tone gentle.
Colette slumped in her seat, putting her head on her hands.
“It’s bad, Nicky. Really bad.”
Nick sighed. “You could have told me.”
“Like you could have done anything? And you’re only here now because…?” Her gaze narrowed. “Why exactly are you here?”
“It was time,” Nick said, his voice hard. He didn’t want his sister to draw conclusions.
“Great for you. You got to go. I had to stay. And then Henri setting me up with Phil and finding out he had a serious gambling problem, yes I’ve been desperate.” Colette sniffled, but she didn’t cry.
“So you were going to what, try to blackmail Xander?” Nick asked.
Colette didn’t respond.
“I don’t forgive Ms. Laruent. But because of my relationship and friendship with your brother, I will not speak of this again, and no consequence will come to you. But if Henri wants to bid on the break-proof technology, I expect his bid to be higher.”
“I got to get out of here. I’m…sorry.” Colette shot from her seat and ran out the door.
Nick sighed. He stopped himself from going after her, knowing she needed space.
“Xander, I-“
“Nope, you aren’t your sister,” Xander said, waving his apology away.
His phone rang. “It’s Mulberry. Hi Mulberry, what’s up?”
Her startled cry and panting had him up on his feet. “What’s wrong, Mulberry?”
“They’ve found me, Nick. They’re going to get in the door.”
“Who?”
“The woman from the restaurant. Emma says she’s the stunt coordinator, but I don’t know what to think or what this means. I just know she’s outside the door, trying to get in.”
“Don’t let her, no matter what. Slide something under the door handle. Do the bedrooms have a lock?”
Mulberry mumbled something he couldn’t hear. “Yes.”
“Then get in the bedroom closet and don’t come out until you hear me. I’m on my way.” Nick hung up, the adrenaline pulsing through his veins, clearing his mind.
“The woman from the restaurant who threatened me is the stunt coordinator for Sheldon’s new film.”
“Didn’t see this one coming,” Xander said. He sounded as annoyed as Nick felt.
“I need to get over there.”
