Page 38

I nod, the alcohol threatening to make its way back up my throat. “Yes.” The word hurts as it leaves my mouth.

“Are you okay?” she asks, sadness in her voice. “I wish I could come give you a hug. I’ll book a flight home.”

“Donotbook a flight home. Stay there.”

“Are you sure?”

“I need a second to … process everything.” I can’t hold back a sniffle.

Call me heartless, but it’s hard for me to grieve a man who sold me like an expensive piece of art. He knew Dima was dangerous and would hurt me but didn’t care.

“How’s your mom?”

“Terrific.” I roll my eyes. “She’s lying out in the Tahiti sun, living her best life and hopefully getting a sunburn from hell.”

“She really fled the country? I figured it was the internet just talking shit.”

“She sure did.”

“Damn, I’m so sorry, Gen. Is there anything I can do?”

I sigh. “Right now, just be the good friend you’ve always been.”

Her voice softens. “Always.”

I sniffle as a tear runs down my cheek.

I’ve never felt so lost in my life.

After spendingan hour on the phone with Darcy, I peer back at the door.

I don’t know why my brain is so curious about what’s behind it.

Maybe because I want to walk into Julian’s world.

To see more of it.

I wander over to Julian’s desk and attempt to open a drawer.

Locked.

I try the others.

Same.

No shocker there.

I’m going to start calling him the Lock King.

Or maybe King of Locks.

Hey, that’d make a good book title.

Or a villain in a movie.

A blazer is hung over the back of his chair. I peer from side to side, as if checking for a spy, and shove my hand inside the blazer pocket.

Jackpot.