Page 146 of The Elusive Billionaire

I glance around the room and know I’ve missed something important because Bethany is obviously enemy number two right now.

“Sorry, Bethany,” Blissy says, stepping forward. “We’re closed for the afternoon.”

“I—I know.” She stares at Savvy. “Is it true? Did he hurt you?”

“You need to leave,” Blissy tries again.

“Is it true?” Bethany asks again, her voice breaking in multiple places.

Beside me, Savvy lifts the sleeve of her T-shirt to show the bruising.

“Oh, God.” Bethany’s hand flies to her mouth as she shakes her head. “I—I didn’t know. Savvy, I didn’t know. I’m so sorry.”

I’m out of my chair as though her words have electrocuted me. “What are you talking about?”

Savvy reaches for my hand. The moment her skin touches mine, the panic stops boiling over.

“Thank you, Bethany,” she says. “I’m glad that you believe me, but your words don’t hold a lot of weight right now. I hope, for your sake, you can make some changes.”

What the hell is she talking about?

Bethany sniffles. “That’s why I’m here. I honestly didn’t know. Riley told me he loved you, and I believed him.”

“Get. Out,” I growl.

Savvy tugs on my hand, and reluctantly, I take a seat at her side.

Bethany has gone from ashen to ghostly white. I’m surprised she’s still standing.

“That’s…that’s why I’m here. I don’t have much to tell you. Riley never, like, confided in me or anything.”

“Un-fucking-believable.” I didn’t think my jaw could get any tighter, but this witch just proved me wrong.

“What is it, Bethany?” Savvy asks quietly.

Why the hell is Monroe being so nice to this woman?

Bethany wrings her hands together and shifts her weight from foot to foot. Her face is free of makeup, and paired with her casual clothing, it’s a stark contrast to the last few times I’ve seen her.

“Well, I don’t know who it is, but Riley did mention once that he had a ‘pulse’ at Omni-Reyes. I never understood what that meant, even when he said it, but I figured it might mean something to you.” Her shoulders are curled so far in, her spine is bent forward.

“What was the context?” Braxton asks, his normally friendly demeanor now brusque.

“He—” She glances at Savvy and winces. “He wanted information from me about your relationship. But he said he had a pulse at Omni-Reyes, someone who would always be loyal to him no matter what.”

“The mole,” Braxton hisses.

“I can’t believe you sold Savvy out for a few new dresses. You’re more than pathetic—” Madi balls her hands into fists, but it’s Savvy who places her palm over them to calm her.

“And you gave him information about us?” Savvy is calm. Too calm.

Bethany nods, and disgruntled noises fill the air all around us.

“What did you say?” If Savvy doesn’t show some emotion soon, I’m going to rip her out of here and take her to the hospital because obviously she’s in shock.

“I told him how you seemed to hate each other but couldn’t stay away from each other either. How—how Greyson looked at you like you held all his secrets, but you always had a wall up.”

I scoff, but Braxton rolls his eyes. “She’s right,” he says.