Page 18 of Mastered by Them (Rose and Dagger #2)

Troy

T he feeling of Amber’s lips on mine is the worst feeling in the world. I’d rather hack off my nuts with a machete than kiss her.

But I have to sell this, so I smile and wish her luck when she pulls away.

Her light brown eyes sparkle. “There really is hope for us, Troy. I knew it.”

She knows fucking nothing.

But she’s about to find out.

I wait until she’s up on the stage. A soft spotlight shines on her, rendering the audience in relative shadow.

As always, she wants to sparkle brighter than anyone else in her orbit.

She loves being the center of attention, the center of everyone’s admiration.

Nothing wrong with that, usually...but she’s ruthless in achieving it.

She steps on others to get her way, pushing everyone else down so she can rise above.

“Thank you all for being here with me tonight,” she says into the microphone, her red lips gleaming. “I’m so pleased you’re here to celebrate the newest milestone in Pinton Environmental Consulting Solutions. This is an exciting new venture, and we’re so happy to be in San Esteban!”

That’s my cue. I stride across the room quickly and purposefully, then step past our guards and into the hall leading to the AV room.

The flash drive is warm in my pocket. I open the AV room door.

A young woman, hired by the hotel, turns around in her seat in surprise. “You aren’t supposed to be here, are you? I was told Ms. Pinton wanted the hotel to take care of AV.”

Behind her is a small window where the proceedings in the ballroom can be viewed. Amber’s still happily captivating her audience, her diamond bracelet catching the spotlight as she talks.

“Change of plans.” I keep my tone easy. “Ms. Pinton wants a different video montage. Last-minute change. I have her flash drive here.”

“Oh, sure.” She holds out her hand.

“Actually, I’d rather handle it. If you can just show me where it goes, you can take a quick break.” I don’t want her to get buried in the fallout after Amber’s talk goes south.

“Um...okay.” Her mouth twists in uncertainty. Her intuition is probably telling her that I’m not up to anything good here.

I reassure her. “Don’t worry, I’ve done this sort of thing before.”

It’s a lie, but she buys it. “Well, if you’re sure? I’ve been eyeing those crab puffs and I wouldn’t mind a second to sneak into the kitchen to snag one before they’re gone.”

“You should definitely try the crab puffs. Where do I put the flash drive, though?”

* * *

Danica

I’m equal parts rage, equal parts devastated. No matter what Edmund says to reassure me, I know this is my fault. I drove Troy out of my life, out of Edmund’s life.

If I’d just fucking listened to Troy, he wouldn’t be here at this stupid hotel, kissing another woman.

She’s gorgeous, by the way. Of course she is. Gleaming hair, clear skin, bright eyes, and the kind of smile that probably makes everyone fall in love with her.

She and Troy look good together. So good, I think I might puke.

“Steady, Danica.” Edmund holds my hand. “Remember the plan.”

The plan? The plan was to find him and talk to him, because he hasn’t been answering his fucking phone.

We showed up here tonight to convince him to come back.

Apologize and grovel, whatever it takes.

But that won’t fucking work. Because why would he want me—why would he even look at me, when he could have her ?

Edmund leans in closer. “Breathe, angel.”

Impossible. My lungs are collapsing inward, squeezing into nothing.

Amber Pinton, CEO of Pinton Environmental Consulting Solutions and my newest, fiercest enemy, graciously invites us to watch a brief video presentation.

She promises it will outline the company’s goals for aiding companies not only in compliance with environmental law, but also for improving the environment through projects that restore habitats and support endangered species.

So not only is she beautiful, she’s a freaking hero.

I can’t stand this.

A video starts to play on a large projector screen behind her, but quickly stops.

Amber chuckles as her eyes flash to a little window off to the side. “Tech fail,” she says with a grin. “Looks like my sweet boyfriend, Troy, has things under control now.”

Her boyfriend ? I feel sick.

I feel like I could burn down this hotel.

Edmund squeezes my hand. His green eyes are solemn. “Don’t believe the boyfriend thing. Don’t believe any of it, Danica. I don’t, and you shouldn’t either. That woman is a snake. None of this is real.”

That kiss I saw was real.

The video starts up again. We’re treated to…wait, what is this? It’s an off-kilter view from inside a boardroom, like whoever is filming isn’t paying attention to where the camera is pointed.

The lens shifts and Amber Pinton comes into the frame.

Her outfit is different—a black pantsuit with a red silk blouse.

Her makeup is still impeccable, but there’s an aggravated bent to her lips.

A phone is on the table in front of her and she stares at it with impatience. “What, exactly, is the problem, Faulk?”

“Clayborne’s coming in,” a male voice says through the phone. “Seems bothered, wouldn’t listen to my reassurances.”

“That fucking lake.” Amber rolls her eyes.

The real-life Amber standing in front of us has frozen, her smile in place. “There’s something wrong with the video. Please turn it off.”

Video Amber says, “Troy, honey, we’ll have to talk later?—”

“I just want you to admit I never hurt you. I need that, Amber.” Troy’s voice. But it doesn’t entirely sound like him. He sounds uncertain, quiet. The camera frame shifts up and down slightly as he talks—it’s Troy behind the camera.

“I can’t believe you’re trying to gaslight me,” Video Amber begins on the projector screen. Her lip curls when she says it and there’s a cruel playfulness to her voice.

She is gaslighting him .

Then a harried, white-haired man bursts into the room. “You said the lake was fine. You said the water could handle it?—”

“I said,” Video Amber interrupts, “that what you choose to do with your business’s waste is up to you. Our company advised you on several solutions?—”

“And the lake was one of them.” The man jabs a finger in her direction. “And now people are getting sick, and it’s not looking good.”

“Poor people.” Video Amber scoffs. “Blame it on their shitty diets, and do some extra green-washing. We’ll hold a litter pick-up day or something and they’ll forget about the water.”

Real-life Amber shouts, “Excuse me! We need to turn the projector off. Cut the power?—”

“Hold on, I want to see this,” someone behind us calls out.

The video abruptly turns off. Real-life Amber is the only one in front of us. She stares at the audience, a tight smile on her face. It looks to me like she’s trying to decide what to say.

I’m trying to decide what to make of what I just saw. Her company is an environmental consulting agency, and she advised the client to dump waste in a lake. Now people are sick.

Another video begins before anyone can say anything.

In this one, the setting is more intimate.

It appears to be a bedroom or living room.

Video Amber sits in an armchair, a phone held to her ear.

“Tell them that PECS isn’t responsible for the lawsuit.

We advised them, yes, but we never would have told them to use Mekinsaw Lake for such a thing. ”

The call ends and Video Amber tosses her phone aside.

“Everything okay?” Troy’s rumbling voice sounds so…mechanical. So off .

“I knew we shouldn’t have worked with Clayborne. They can’t fucking keep their mouths shut. It’s not my fault a bunch of people got sick.”

“But you told Clayborne to use the lake?—”

“Troy, you’re hurting me.” Video Amber falls back against the chair and grips her own forearm. “Ow, Troy—it hurts?—”

The projector screen goes dark as the video ends.

The audience murmurs and whispers. I turn to look up at Edmund. His jaw is tight, his eyes sparking with anger.

“Edmund, what did we just watch?” I whisper.

“We saw how she treats her clients…and her boyfriends. We saw what she did to Troy.”

Real-life Amber’s heels click as she steps off the stage. The audience makes a wide path for her as she marches out of the grand room.

“Shouldn’t someone stop her?” I ask.

Edmund shakes his head. “After all that, it’s over for her. The company is ruined. She’s ruined. And it’s about fucking time.”

* * *

Troy

I knew she was coming. I saw her step off that stage in disgrace.

I bet that spotlight she loves so much doesn’t feel too good anymore.

Beyond the window, the party attendees mingle uncertainly. Like they don’t know what to do. The party’s over, but servers are still carrying around trays of champagne. Live music has resumed to cover up the awkward silence.

The door bangs open and Amber stands in the frame. “What the absolute fuck , Troy? You filmed me? You shared it?”

“People deserve to know the truth.” I shrug, hoping I don’t look as panicked as I feel. The damage is done, but she might feel cornered.

And nothing is more dangerous than a vicious woman like Amber backed into a corner.

“Those videos can’t be used as evidence at trial. We’re a two-party consent state, so none of that will count for anything, sweetheart.” Her voice is sickly sweet. “That really hurts me, Troy. You keep hurting me, over and over.”

I’m not falling for this bullshit. Never again. “Don’t worry, sweetheart . I have plenty more videos on this flash drive.”

Her face changes. It’s like a switch flipped. Gone is her panic, gone is her horror. Her fake smile returns.

She’s retreated into the worst of herself.

She calmly reaches into her clutch and pulls out her phone. “Faulk? Bring Dan with you.” She ends the call. “And you, Troy? Don’t you dare fucking move. I’m going to need that flash drive.”

That’s not going to happen. I don’t have to listen to her. Not now, not ever again.

She blocks the door. I don’t take a step closer to her, no way. Not when she can scream that I’m hurting her, and nobody will believe me. Look at her, look at me. Of course I’ll be seen as the aggressor.

Two hulking shadows appear behind her.

“Hey, Faulk,” I say, catching their eyes. “Dan.”

“You can give me the flash drive the easy way,” Amber says, “or the hard way.”

Can she sound more like a cartoon villain? I only shake my head.

“Guys.” Amber snaps her fingers, like Dan and Faulk are dogs or something. “Get the flash drive. However you have to.”

Faulk doesn’t move, but when Amber steps aside, Dan leaps forward. I never liked this guy. He’s a mean motherfucker.

Oh yeah, and he’s a shitty fighter.

Soon enough, Dan’s on the floor, bleeding from his stupid mouth. I haven’t broken a sweat.

“Faulk,” Amber hisses. “What the fuck are you waiting for?”

Faulk starts toward me. Stops. Holds up his hands. “I’m not going after Troy.”

I’m relieved. I didn’t want to put him on the floor next to Dan.

Amber’s cheeks darken with anger. “I pay you to go after people when I tell you to. That’s literally what you’re here for.”

Faulk shakes his head, shoots me an apologetic glance. He turns around and says over his shoulder, “No. Not anymore.”

Then he’s gone, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

“You’re fucking fired! ” Amber’s mouth tightens and she reaches for Dan to help him up.

No, not to help him up.

He is carrying, and she grabs his gun. Lifts it.

Points it.

Right at me.