Reveal (Wicked Ways #2)(86)

The lie I told the agents—that my second piece of blackmail was simply a bluff—just might be my bargaining chip.

It might be the only thing I have going for me. It’s one way I’m choosing to fight.

There is clutter all over my kitchen table.

Papers I’ve printed. Documents I’ll use as proof. The highlights and circles a road map of truths. The missing link they needed that I never even knew I had.

Then there’s the legalese I tried to understand. Things that Ryker would have been able to explain in seconds, but I couldn’t ask him. Questions my private investigator could clear up for me, but my trust factor in general isn’t exactly high right now.

Maybe I wasn’t crazy thinking stuff was moved in my office. Maybe Noah and Abel slipped in here to investigate themselves. It’s not exactly legal, but I have a feeling Abel doesn’t play by the rules most days.

“Come on, Vaughn . . . think.”

I shuffle through the papers again. The same ones I’ve read and reread so many times that I can’t see straight.

With my hands on my hips, I nod.

I can do this.

I can make demands myself.

And I can dangle the goddamn carrot to make them agree.

My shower is long and hot, and when I step from it, I know more than anything that I can do this.

I pick up the phone and dial Noah.

He answers on the first ring.

“I’d like to talk.” It’s all I say.

“Meet us at Central Park. I’ll text you the location. See you there in an hour.”

I take a breath to steady myself. “Yes.”

And then I make my second call.





CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Vaughn

“I want immunity,” I state as I look from Abel to Noah and back and revel in the surprised looks on their faces.

“And just where do you get off thinking you get any say in this?” Abel says.

“I will do this—invite Carter Preston with the promise of sex and then ask him whatever it is you want asked with whatever fake blackmail you have—and for that I want immunity from any prosecution. I also want a formal recommendation to social services without specifics that I am the better candidate to adopt my niece, Lucy. Either that or arrest my brother-in-law for drug possession with intent to distribute, but I believe that is way below your pay grade.”

“Anything else, madam?” Abel asks with a smarmy smirk and a disbelieving laugh that tells me I’m reaching for the moon with my demands.

I twist my lips and take a deep breath as I run through everything I’ve told myself I want. “Yes, I want Carter charged in connection with underage sex, and if he’s not, I just might release the information myself that the FBI chose to pass up.” That gets their attention, all right. “I also want a restraining and gag order on Carter Preston and his wife, Bianca Preston, from being able to come near me or speak about me publicly in any way.”

Noah chortles and blows out a sigh. “And why should we agree to any of that? It should be you thanking us for letting you work off your bad deeds.”

My smile is tight, my voice condescending. “Because while my good deeds will be fresh in your and the FBI’s mind now, who knows down the road what they will or won’t be. I want it in writing so no one can accidentally forget in the future.”

“I have to give it to you, Vaughn. You’ve got some serious balls telling us how this is supposed to play out,” Abel says.

“I’m aware.” Another sweet smile is followed by my comment. “But you need me.”

Abel shakes his head and winds up to go off on me, but it’s Noah who’s taking in my smile and demeanor and holds his finger up for his partner to be quiet.

“What is it?” Noah asks.

“Get my demands for me in writing, and I’ll give you the one thing you don’t have.” Both men whip their heads up from where they are taking notes on their pads. “The proof that shows Carter Preston was in communication with Alpha Pharmaceuticals.”





CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Ryker

“You okay?” my mother asks as she looks at me from across the table.

Sterling silver scrapes on fine china, and aged whiskey is poured into Waterford crystal.

“Fine.” I survey the room but don’t find the one person I’m searching for. And it’s not like she’d be here anyway, but fuck if I’m not looking for Vaughn in every woman whose back is to me.

“With that dreadful Roxanne out of the picture, I figured you’d be somewhat happier.”

I all but choke on the sip of water I just took. “Roxanne? Out of the way? What are you talking about?”

My mother waves a hand at me as if it’s no big deal. “Women talk, Ryker. That woman especially.”

“What about her?” I say in a long, drawn-out sigh, not even bothering to hide the affair from my mother.

“Well, it seems she’s finally moved on to some other man who’ll buy into her dramatics.”

Now that? That gets my attention. “What do you mean?”

“Do you remember Baron’s old friend Pierre? She’s dating his nephew now and making sure everyone knows it.”

Good fucking riddance. “Where do you hear this shit?”