Page 28 of Sins of a King

“That’s it? You didn’t hear what they said to each other?” Renee asked.

“Nope,” I said truthfully.

“Damn it!” Alia cursed. “I wanted the full deets.”

“I don’t think Mr. Campbell would appreciate us discussing him,” I said, wanting to steer the conversation away from Flynn. Unfortunately, my words had the opposite effect.

“I’ve noticed him checking you out,” Renee commented.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please.”

“That’s what I told her,” Chelsea said. “Not like he’s subtle about it. His eyes are always on your ass.”

“Who wants more chocolate?” I asked, holding out a bag of candy.

“You’re blushing,” Alia taunted.

“Am not.”

“You are!” Shawna agreed.

“Okay, you guys are terrible friends.”

Chelsea shook her head. “Nope. We’re awesome friends.”

A pang of guilt went through me. One of them was the reason Flynn had drugs in his club. I was going to have to be a nark. And it sucked.

Flynn and I were in the corner of an expensive restaurant having our weekly meeting. We came separately, and we’d leave separately when the time came. After what had occurred the other night in my apartment, we both agreed a public setting might be better for our future get-togethers—even if there was a possibility someone from the hotel saw us. If it came to that, I’d prefer to lie about why I was having lunch with Flynn rather than be forced to endure his sensual presence in my tiny apartment. I only had so much willpower.

“Any new thoughts on the matter? Now that you’ve gotten drunk with the girls?” he asked, taking a sip of his black coffee.

“I don’t know. I have my suspicions, but nothing concrete. Have you done background checks?”

He gave me a look.

“Okay, stupid question.” I’d been tossing a thought around for a while, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to say anything.

“What is it?” he asked.

I sighed. There was no point in hiding anything from Flynn. “There’s something about Chelsea.”

“Yes?”

“I dunno. She talks about how busy she is, how expensive her tuition is, and I know we make really good money at The Rex, but I wonder if it’s enough.”

He nodded. “Astute. Always listen to your intuition.”

“Good advice. Anyway. I’ll keep my eyes and ears open, but you should do whatever it is you do.”

“You look upset.”

“I like them—the girls. I just hate that I have to betray one of them.”

He didn’t reply right away. Setting his coffee cup down in its saucer, he finally said, “It would be easy if it was black and white. But you have to remember that one person is hurting the greater good. This is my club, my hotel, my livelihood.”

“I know. I just never thought I’d feel this conflicted about…everything. But I guess that’s the way it has to be.” I bit my lip. “They’re giving me a hard time—the girls.”

“About what? Are they not treating you well? Does Lacey need to have a word with them?”