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Alex could see deep worry lines creased in his forehead, even in the low light. ‘You didn’t tell her I told you I tipped you off about Helen taking that pic, did you?’ he asked quietly.

‘Pretty sure you’d know if I had,’ Alex replied.

Steven laughed nervously. And then, seemingly without transition, he was crying.

‘Jesus, Steven!’ Alex cried, shocked. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I’m fine. I’m just tired,’ he said, sobbing.

She put a hand on his shoulder. Not because she was working him, but because she felt bad for the guy. His boss was a hellion. Alex couldn’t imagine what it would do to someone to be under Isabelle’s eye, day in, day out, for years.

‘Steven, you’re not fine.’

‘I’mgreat. My job is great! I couldn’t ask for a better boss!’ he said through tears.

‘You know I’vemetIsabelle, right?’ Alex asked.

He ducked his head. She pulled a packet of tissues out of her purse, and he took one, giving his nose a good long honk. Once he’d gathered himself, he slapped a big old fake smile on his face and said, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.’

Alex suddenly wished Leigh was there. She’d know just how to handle this. All Alex had was her wits.

But maybe she could utilise a bit of that Leigh honesty?

‘Can I ask you something?’

He looked worried but nodded.

‘Why do you work for her?’ Alex asked gently.

‘Why doyou?’

‘I don’t. I just quit,’ she told him. ‘That’s kind of what led to the slap.’

‘You quitandslapped her?’ he asked, impressed.

‘She’s too awful. I can’t do it anymore. But you know that, don’t you? Because when you told me who took that picture, you also knew who wasin it,too.’

Steven was horrified. ‘No! I don’t have anyideawho Amanda Bradley is!’ He groaned. ‘Shit, that wasn’t what I meant to say.’ He shook his head. ‘She’s gonna kill me.’

‘Steven, relax. You didn’t fuck up. I already had the name,’ Alex told him.

He covered his face for a moment in pure relief. Then he looked back at Alex. ‘You did?’

‘Yeah. You knew her, right? Did you know the deal with her, Isabelle, and Erin? How they kept her locked in the pool house like a vibrator in the knicker drawer?’

He nodded. ‘Yeah. She was kind of my friend at first.’

‘But they didn’t want her having friends, did they?’ Alex asked.

‘No, they didnot,’ he said ominously. He seemed to realise he was talking too much. ‘Shit, I can’t talk about this. My confidentiality agreement! Isabelle will ruin me!’

‘She won’t have time to ruin you because she’ll have a full-time job ruining me,’ Alex assured him. ‘I slapped her; she’s not letting that one go. I want you to know that I won’t take it personally if you testify I did it, by the way.’

‘Seriously? I mean, I’m not saying I want to, but…’

‘I did it,’ Alex smiled. ‘It’s a fair cop. But can you believe she didn’t even try to hit me back? What apussy,’ Alex said, nudging him.

Steven giggled. And then he went quiet. ‘I hate her,’ he admitted quietly. He looked at Alex. ‘I want to quit. But she said I wouldn’t get a reference from her. Imagine trying to get a job with a twelve-year gap in your resume.’