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I turn around to face her. Her eyes are wide and search mine as I stare down at her.

“You shouldn’t,” I murmur as I spin back around and walk toward Luc’s apartment.

“I need to go back in here,” I tell her.

“I know. I’ll head back to my parents,” she says. I grasp her hand, and she looks up at me.

“Take this with you. Meet me at my place later,” I say to her as I look around to make sure no one followed us.

Her eyes widen. “Me?”

I nod and cup her jaw. “I trust you too, Kate.”

And with that I walk through the gate and into Luc’s garden, leaving Kate on the sidewalk with her mouth gaping and a five-million-dollar diamond in her hand.

My mind races and my phone keeps buzzing, probably Anna. I want Kate with me.

As though sensing my internal conflict, she turns one last time. “I’ll meet you back at the house after my parents go to bed.” And with that, she disappears down around the corner.

I don’t like her walking around by herself, and when I see a figure follow her, I start to run after her until I see that it’s Jackie. Well, shit. At least she’s safe.

I turn and climb back into Luc’s room. A minute later, I’m back at the party. Nico gives me the side-eye, but I ignore him as I pour myself a drink.

Kate

“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Jackie’s angry voice snarls from behind me. I stop dead in my tracks and slowly swivel.

I don’t even have an excuse. Nothing.

She continues her rant. “Are you insane? Are you trying to get killed?”

“I…”

She holds up her hand. “I don’t want to hear your bullshit excuse. Tell me the truth or I call it in.”

Her angry stare tells me that she is not playing around. Fuck. Although it’s better her than Dominic. I trust Jackie with my life.

“Fine.” I look around and find a park bench across the street. I motion for her to follow me and we sit.

I tell her everything, only omitting a few details. I admit it’s therapeutic. Jackie listens, only asking a few questions as I relay the story. She doesn’t speak for a few long seconds after I finish. I bite my lip and wait.

“Dang, girl. You really know how to step right in it.”

I shrug. “It wasn’t like I jumped into this on purpose.”

“We need to bring in the big guns,” she says, and I cringe. That doesn’t sound like a good idea.

She picks up her phone and I place my hand on hers.

“Please, don’t get my parents involved.”

She laughs. “Are you crazy? I’m calling a friend in intelligence.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Oh. Give me a little credit, will ya?”

I pull my hand back, and she speed dials a number on some sort of app.