Page 120 of Beautiful Revenge

My eyes widen when the line goes dead.

Devon hangs up and tosses his cell to the mattress.

“Wow,” I say. “That was really ... mean.”

He shakes his head and pats the mattress next to him. “This is just step one. Let’s see if they take the bait.”

I hold my coffee out as I walk on my knees up the bed to settle in next to Devon. He’s got a text string pulled up on his laptop, but it doesn’t look like any text I’ve ever seen before.

A message pops up.

Turner – It’s happening this afternoon. Are you in position?

Unknown – You know I am. I’ll get this done and get out.

Turner – Sooner than later. I can’t afford anyone talking.

Unknown – I can’t locate our last client. I’ve looked for two days. He’s not at work, home, or any of his vacation properties.

Turner – Work faster. Your relationship with me is on the line. If you can’t finish this, I’m cutting you loose.

Unknown – I’d be careful if I were you. I have as much on you as you have on me.

Turner – You forget, no one has ever issued a death certificate in my name. Life isn’t messy for me like it is for some.

There’s a pause.

“Is that it?” I ask the screen before turning to Devon. “What’s he going to do?”

Devon stares at the screen as if he’s willing Hugh Bancroft to answer. He mutters, “Come on, you cowardly bastard. You don’t have the balls to do what’s right.”

Bubbles appear on the screen.

Unknown – I’ll get it done. Ialways do.

“Fuck, yeah.” Devon sets the laptop to the side and claims my face. His kiss is searing and hot and as possessive as it’s ever been. I’m breathless by the time he breaks the kiss and rests his forehead on mine. “This is happening, baby. And it’s happening today.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

SINISTER

Harlow

“It’s happening. I can’t believe it, but it’s happening. I may have a brother.”

“Girl. You know I’m your ride or die. As happy and freaked out as I am for you, somehow life has thrown a wrench at me, and I now work for Patrick-freaking-Madison. When he discovers he might have a son, that I knew he might have a son, and that I didn’t tell him, I will be D-O-N-E done. I’m not trying to make this all about me, but OMG, he will hate me when he finds out. I’ll be unemployed, and the only thing on my resumé will be managing a philanthropic billionaire heiress. Do you know how many jobs there are out there with my qualifications? I’ll give you a hint. NONE. There’s just you. It’s not like I can put working for your dad on my resumé. I mean, it’s been like three minutes. This is so stressful. I’m not sure how long I can do this. Oh, and newsflash, he hasn’t asked me to drink iced tequila with a splash of lime and rim of Tajín with him. That’s a job perk I counted on cashing in on for like ... THE REST OF MY LIFE.”

I pull the phone away from my ear. “Quit screaming. You’re overreacting. You’ll always be with me. When I can trust that my dad isn’t going to be drugged or killed, you’re back with me sipping Patrón, okay? And I’ll take all the heat for not telling him he mayhave a son.”

“I had a good run, I guess.” Chrissie is pacing. I can picture her arm flailing around as she talks. “Life was so much easier before Albert and Janie tried to rule the world. Damn them for trying to kill you and fucking up my life in the process.”

“As much as I want to tell you to relax, I know that’s sacrilege, and I’d lose my mind if someone said it to me. But please know that this will pass, and I’ll always take care of you and serve you top-shelf tequila.”

“You’d better or else I’ll put a hit on you myself.”

“Too soon, Chrissie,” I bite. “Way too soon.”

She sighs. “Let me know when I can pull that one out of my back pocket. It’s too good. At this point, I plan on using it for the rest of my life. The bar is set low, you know?”