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‘Then I’m in,’ Steven said. His eyes became haunted. ‘Good god,’ he said, looking a bit green. ‘I can’t believe I’m going up against her.’

‘You’ll never be free otherwise,’ Alex said.

‘I know. I’m not changing my mind; I’m just verbalising my terror. I find it helps.’

Alex smiled and held out her hand. ‘We’re doing this, then?’

Steven shook it. ‘But what’s the plan?’

‘First things first. We’re going to need some help if we’re gonna do this.’ She got out her phone and began texting Leigh contrite messages, begging messages. She just hoped it wasn’t too late.

‘Who are you texting?’ Steven asked.

‘My nemesis,’ Alex explained. ‘You’re gonna love her.’

Thirty-Eight

Leigh was outside the hotel, wondering if she was really gonna go back into the party from hell. Was she an idiot to even stand outside? Possibly.

While she was still dilly-dallying, Alex suddenly burst out through the main doors. ‘There you are! Thank God!’

Leigh set her face to anger. ‘I wasn’t definitely coming in.’

‘Ofcourseyou were coming in,’ Alex said. ‘I don’t have time for this. I need you.’

‘What for?’

‘I have a call list to go through, and you’re gonna have to do the tough ones.’

‘Calls to who?’

‘Come with me to my pop-up war room,’ Alex grinned.

‘Yourwhat?’

Alex dragged her by the arm and into the hotel lobby. ‘Come on, there’s no time for fucking around. We’ve got to be done for twelve.’

‘Done with what? Alex, what the hell are you doing?’ Leigh asked, befuddled.

By now, they were at the entrance to the party room. Leigh put the brakes on. ‘I’m not going in there until you explain.’

‘That’s not our destination. Don’t worry.’

Leigh was making no promises, but she was certainly intrigued.

She followed Alex into a small, dark screening room to find a guy in his thirties, making notes with one hand while he tapped through his phone with the other. ‘I’ve got a list of six,’ he said.

‘Are you serious?’ Alex asked, shocked.

‘I’m not even finished,’ he said. ‘I’m sure there’s a couple more I’m forgetting.’

‘I think we only need three to agree,’ Alex said.

‘Threewhat, Alex,’ Leigh interrupted. ‘Talk. Now.’

‘Former maids turned sex slaves,’ Alex said.

‘Huh?’