Page 100 of Illicit Games

“I haven’t gone online yet. Is it bad on there?” I nervously inquire. I’ve never been gladder about keeping my accountprivate on social media. There’s no avoiding the articles in gossip magazines, though.

While in Seattle, Kian and I didn’t touch our phones, except when I would snap his pictures. Honest to God, I forgot its existence because I was in a perpetual Kian bubble.

Now that we’re back, every fear is flooding back.

The unfolding of the engagement drama.

The impending talk with Harshita.

Dinner with my parents.

I’m overwhelmed just pondering it.

Both Rosalie and Bianca instantly sober at my question. Sharing a private glance, Bianca speaks. “The news is trending.”

“It’s a tie,” Rosalie adds when my face slackens. “Justin will be back on top, stealing the attention off you and Kian. So, don’t worry.”

I double back. “Justin?”

“Shit. I forgot you don’t know.”

“Know what?”

“Justin’s dad passed away last month and his will isn’t the only thing he’s left behind. The man has a whole new family with his mistress living in the States.”

My jaw drops, but Rosalie isn’t finished.

“Three sons and a daughter.”

Oh my god. “What does that mean?”

“It means Justin and his little sister aren’t the only heirs to the Merchant legacy.”

I recall the night of the gala, realizing why he was hanging outside in the garden. Despite his distressing situation, he was kind enough to uplift my mood. I never once got the impression he had something going on. Justin comes off as a charismatic playboy, always the life of the party, but there’s a lot more to him.

“This is awful,” I mutter sadly.

“I know.” Bianca sighs. “He hates being in the limelight, now he’s in the thick of it.”

“How old are his half-siblings?”

“They’re close to his age, with the half-sister being the youngest.”

“Fuck! How long was the damn affair?” I cry out. “His family must be devastated.”

“It’s a terrible situation to have your world blown up like this,” says Rosalie. “Yet, he attended the gala.”

“We should find his Spitfire for him.” Bianca beams, putting her wineglass down. “That ought to cheer him up.”

Rosalie gives her a dumbfounded look. “How are we going to accomplish that? Do you even remember her face? If Justin, with all the money and resources at his disposal, couldn’t find her, how the heck will we?”

“Come on, we have to try.”

“She’s right,” I pipe in. “Justin has always been there for us. We’d be doing Spitfire a favor by hooking her up with an amazing man like him. Obsessed men are the best. Don’t we agree?”

“True.”

“We got lucky.”