Page 101 of Mr. Perfect
Fuck.There was no good choice. Felix could tell the truth and risk getting shunned by the writing community or keep Spencer’s secret and live with a nagging conscience.
Spencer chuckled. “You really do remind me of myself when I was younger. We’re often blinded by our ambition and drive. I made a deal with the devil to ensure the future I envisioned. I should’ve had more faith in myself and Brigitte.”
“This feels like making a deal with the devil,” Felix countered. “Maybe you never personally shot anyone or sold drugs to kids, but you helped Mercy do it.”
Spencer swallowed hard. “And I will spend every day trying to atone for the horrible decisions I’ve made.”
“When Mr. Spencer dies, he will be reborn a much poorer man. He isn’t taking his assets with him. The vice president of Spencer Auto Malls will take over the reins, and the Second Chance Program will continue after his death. All of the Spencers’ personal assets will go to charities that address drug addiction, poverty, homelessness, and victims of gun violence,” Veronica said.
“I’ll live in a tent as long as my wife and kids are safe,” Spencer said.
“We’ve planned slightly better accommodations than that, sir,” Asher said.
Veronica quirked a brow. “You can keep your mouth shut for the greater good and help bring down the Southern mafia or run with your story and collect your fifteen minutes of fame. If you survive Mercy, then what?”
Felix scowled at her while he thought it over. He’d still have his job, his friends, his podcast, and Jude. Or would he? Would Minerva still look upon him favorably if he became a joke? What would become of Felix if he lost his job? He could bypass the paper and use the podcast to get the information out, but it came with the same peril of turning their investigative podcast into one that pushes conspiracy theories. That could also hurt Jonah’s standing with the GBI. If people stopped tuning in to their podcast, how much longer would his friends be willing to give up their valuable time to record episodes? How long would his relationships last under duress?
There was a soft knock on the garage door before it opened. Brigitte Spencer poked her head in. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” Spencer said. “Everything is fine.”
She looked at each person in the garage. The expression in her cornflower blue eyes reminded Felix of the one he wore in his second-grade school photo. This was a woman who’d been knocked down, but she wasn’t out. Brigitte had pulled herself up and dusted herself off. She was a survivor, and she was assessing the threat to herself and her family. When her gaze landed on Felix, he offered a smile, hoping to assure her that he wasn’t a threat.
But was he? What would happen to them if he reported that the Spencer family was really alive? Jack Mercy would never give up until he found Cameron and killed him. Would he stop there? Would he kill his own daughter and grandchildren?
Brigitte returned Felix’s gesture before shifting her attention back to her husband. “It’s getting late. Are you coming to bed soon?” she asked.
“I’ll be there shortly,” Cameron promised her.
“If you’re not coming now, can I have the ice cream you promised to get for me?” she asked sheepishly.
Cameron stared down at the pint and spoon in his hands as if he’d forgotten about them. He probably had, and who could blame him? Cameron chuckled as he crossed the room. Brigitte took the items but didn’t immediately back out of the doorway. The couple had a private exchange of words that didn’t reach Felix’s ears. He didn’t need to hear their voices to know what was said. He could read so much in their actions and expressions.
Brigitte looked up at her husband with big, worried eyes. Cameron smiled and brushed a hand over Brigitte’s cheek before dropping a kiss on her forehead. The worry immediately faded from her expression, and the tension eased from her posture. Brigitte nodded, then ducked out of the room.
Spencer took a deep breath before facing Felix once more. “Be smarter than I was. Choose a better path.”
It was odd how Spencer only addressed Felix, but maybe he rightly sensed the other two would quickly back down without a fight. Jude had his mother to protect, and Rocky… Well, he had a big, sexy husband who could abduct him as easily as plucking flowers from a field. If Jonah were there, he’d cede authority to the FBI. Avery wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize Jonah’s career.
Whatever Felix decided, he would make sure his friends stayed clean. That meant he’d have to choose the paper over the podcast,ifhe blew the whistle on Spencer.
“Anything else you want to know before we take you back?” Asher asked.
So many thoughts and questions ran through his mind, but Felix voiced none of them. He would kick himself in the ass for it someday, but all he wanted right now was to go home. He shook his head.
“No,” Jude said.
“I’m good,” Rocky added.
“Let’s get you guys back,” Asher said.
“Spencer,” Felix called out when the man opened the garage door. “Don’t blow your second chance.”
Spencer smiled. “That I can promise.” Then he was gone, and Felix knew he’d never see the man again.
“What about the person who blew up my car?” Felix asked Veronica. “Will you at least tell me if you have leads?”
“He’s in custody,” she said. “We traced the van’s movement through the city via CCTV and ATM cameras.”