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“That’s an understatement.” Dylan poured a glass, downing it in one long swig. It burned as it hit her stomach, sending a blaze to her chest. No matter how much she drank, it always did the same thing. “How was coffee with your ... um, uncle, was it?”
The comment went ignored as Ari stepped toward Dylan, who kept her posture straight and rigid. Ari’s hands rested on Dylan’s chest, then ran upward toward her neck, looking for some comfort. “Dylan, I’m sorry for how I acted las–”
When Ari’s voice halted mid-sentence, Dylan knew why. The computer screen behind her still displayed the CityBeats website. Ari pulled away. Her face blanched and her eyes widened as they stared into Dylan’s icy gaze.
“Your Uncle Kevin, or did you say his name was Terry?”
Ari shook her head, trying to grasp Dylan as she moved out of reach. “I can explain.”
When Dylan pulled further away, Ari grabbed her arm, but she shook her loose. “When were you going to tell me you’re a reporter? When I’m out of a job because you’ve outed our entire client list?”
“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. Trust me. I’m pretty pissed at the moment too.”
“You? I’m sorry. What was supposed to happen? Take names, ask questions later?”
“He wasn’t supposed to publish a damn thing. That wasn’t the plan, Dylan.”
“Plan? Tell me then, what was the plan, Ariel? How did you see this ending? You and me running off into the sunset?” Dylan waved her hand between them. “Or was I just part of the story? A means to help you fit into the scene. And to think, I planned on groveling at your feet. I was going to ask for forgiveness for something you wanted to do all along. Reporter. Sex work. It’s all the same when you sell your soul to the devil.”
“That’s not fair, Dylan. I may have gone into it looking for a story, but I found something else: you. He’s a fucking dick for publishing those names. I only gave him a few to placate him until I had more—”
“More what? Lives to ruin? What the fuck, Ari?” Dylan turned away and grabbed the bottle of whiskey off the counter as the argument raged on.
“You said it yourself. Women don’t leave, they disappear. Aren’t you even a little curious why that is?”
Dylan found it hard to believe Maxi would be part of some sinister plot despite the knowledge she knew to be true. Maybe the family, but not Maxi. She may have been a hard ass with a whip, but she cared. She did, however, run a tight ship. Business was business.
“No! You are inventing a story that doesn’t exist. Terry’s just some guy with a grudge. Trying to take down a corporation for his own personal gain. You’re just as bad. Miss Delgado, you’re fired!” Dylan stomped to the door, opening it for Ari. “Get out and don’t come back. Here or Adytum!”
“Dylan, please. Listen to me. I’m telling you the truth.”
As much as Ari pleaded, it fell on deaf ears. “So am I. Leave!”
Just as she stepped from the door, she turned back, begging for another chance to explain. That was something Dylan couldn’t give her. With a flick of her wrist, Dylan slammed the door, ending the day in heartbreak.
Chapter 21
From the time she had entered Dylan’s apartment to the time Dylan kicked her out, the rain turned into a downpour. It helped hide the tears streaming down her face as she put the phone to her ear.
She needed her best friend. “It’s over. Dylan knows everything!”
As always, Billie deluged her with questions. More than she could answer at the moment. “What? How can that be? What did she say? Are you okay?”
“No, I’m not okay. I’m in tears and shit is hitting the fan. They know I’m working with CityBeats.”
Funny, but it was Billie telling Ari to slow down. “Start from the beginning while you make your way to my place.”
Under an awning at the next building over, Ari took in a lungful of humid air and began. “Come to find out, they released a story based on the little information I provided to them. I had a meeting with the editor, and lo and behold, Dylan showed up at the coffee shop and saw Terry and me.”
“How did she know who he was? I mean, he’s not some hotshot reporter. Paper pusher, at best.”
“Exactly! When I arrived at her place to talk, I saw the CityBeats website open on her computer and Terry’s profile staring me in the face.” She wiped her sleeve across her nose as she stepped out from under the awning during a momentary reprieve from the rain. “She called me a spy and fired me. At this point, I don’t care about the job. It’s her I care about.”
“Even after last night? She’s one of them, especially when she beats you to a pulp and then leaves you there. Cut the ties and move on, Ari. There’s much better out there.”
The screeching of tires cut into their conversation as a battered white van skidded to a halt. Two burly men in black ski masks jumped out and raced toward her. Before she knew it, darkness engulfed her and she dropped her purse and phone. They tied a bag over her head and dragged her, kicking and screaming, into the van. Her claustrophobia-fueled panic led to hyperventilating as she struggled to breathe under the wretched scent of death.
When the van door slid shut, the vehicle lunged forward, its tires squealing against the wet pavement. One man pressed his meaty hand against her face, shoving her head to the floor while tugging her arms behind her. The searing pain caused another scream as she struggled under their strength. Ropes tore at her skin as they hogtied her, immobilizing her limbs.
