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“Know what!” Lena takes a moment to consider what she's going to do as I stare her directly in the eyes. "And don't lie to me."
“Hunter has been holding him in the basement of the club since you returned.”
“Like a hostage?” I whisper.
Lena’s eyes drop to the ground.
“Please don’t say anything. I’ll get in so much trouble. If he finds out I know, he’ll want to knowhowI know.”
“Christian?”
“He confides in me sometimes. Please, Megan, you can’t say anything,” Lena pleads with watery eyes.
“So I’m just supposed to let Parker die in a dungeon somewhere while people drink and dance above his head every night?”
“He’s not dying.”
“If Parker dies in that basement, I promise that Hunter will never see me or this baby ever again!”
“Calm down. I will get you proof that he’s fine. Trust me,” she pleads.
I’ve never seen Lena try this hard to be so convincing about something. She’s worried sick that I’m going to blow up her spot. This thing with Christian is more serious for her than I thought. It’s clear to me now that what he thinks matters to her.
And that's the beginning of the end.
Been there, done that.
But I take some pity on her.
“You’ve got 24 hours to get me proof, or I’m waddling in that club myself .”
Chapter 13
Time For An Ugly Cry
LENA
“Gage, I just checked the fridge and the freezer, and I’m missing a few t-bone steaks and a large pack of chicken wings.”
“That’s odd,” he responds, wiping down the main bar top.
“Uh, yeah. Someone is stealing food.”
Gage keeps his eyes low on the white cloth in his hand as he cleans in meticulous circles, and that’s how I know he’s keeping something from me. But what? And why?
“If there’s someone who needs help you can just tell me. I worked in a soup kitchen for over a year. I get it.”
“I don’t know anyone dealing with food insecurity here at the club, but I’ll be sure to keep an eye out.”
“Gage.”
He lifts his head. “Yes, Lena?”
“Are you lying to me?”
His hand stops moving.
“You’re upset about this missing food, aren’t you?”