Page 23 of Exposed

“Stay,” Dex insists. “I’m sure Goldie would be happy to show you around her old stomping grounds. Isn’t that right, sis?”

“Don’tsisme,” Goldie hisses and tries to pull her hand from mine.

“Sorry,” I offer. “Your family drama is a lot, but I’ll see what I can do to encourage her to come around.”

Goldie yanks on my hand. “I’ll never step foot into this place again for as long as I live.”

This has turned into a shit show.

“Some things do change. I want to know what’s so special about you that Goldie set aside her morals. Maybe it’s money … maybe you have a magic cock,” Dex drawls.

Goldie gasps.

“You said it, not me. I look forward to your call.” I can’t help but smile and turn to the red-faced woman at my side. “Let’s go.”

I don’t have to ask her twice. Goldie leads the way—her tight ass encased in her tight dress—and marches toward the front door. Anger bleeds from her with every click of her heels on the aged marble beneath us.

She tries to yank out of my hold once again when we get to the atrium. “Who are you, and what was that about?”

I lean in and press my lips to the side of her head and whisper there, “Shut your mouth until we clear this place. You know better than me, but I’m sure every inch of it is surveilled.”

Her gaze jumps to me as her lips press into a firm, angry line.

“Give me your keys,” I demand. “We’ll take your car, and I’ll drive you home.”

“You’re not taking me anywhere,” she hisses, ignoring my warning to shut up.

I push the enormous front door open for her. The heat of the summer evening assaults us, but I don’t dare let her go and instead pull her closer to my side. “Do not make a scene. There are cameras everywhere. I did everything I could to get your brotherto focus on me and not you. Don’t mess it up by throwing a fit in the parking lot.”

Her wide eyes focus on me, but she keeps her mouth shut.

“I’m the last person on earth who’ll take you to a second location, traffic you, or kill you. Let me get you home, and I’ll explain on the way.”

“There’s no reason for me to trust you. Are you even planning a wedding? I should have known. Trippy is a ridiculous name.”

“Trust me, Trippy is real,” I mutter. “Give me your keys.”

“You’re not taking me anywhere. I never want to see you again, and I’ll never, ever walk into The Pink or see my brother again either. Goodbye, Daniel Armstrong. Good luck working with Dex. I hope you live to see another day.”

“You don’t know me, Goldie. I’m not the one who should be worried about living through anything. I knew you had ties to The Pink, but I had no fucking clue I’d be bringing this kind of attention to you.”

She stops in the middle of the parking lot lined with luxury vehicles. “You knew I had ties to The Pink? How?”

I move in front of her and lean in so we’re inches apart. “If you’ll let me take you home, I’ll explain. If you trust anyone in this situation, it needs to be me.”

“I don’t trust anyone,” she spits. “I’m done. Let me go and get the hell away from me.”

I step back and drag a hand through my hair when something grabs my attention. I turn to glance back toward the front of the estate and see two of the men who are used as Carter’s muscle stalking straight for us.

When I turn back to Goldie, her expression falls as she sees the same thing I do.

I give her the two options I’m sure she won’t be happy about. “It’s them or me.”

She looks up at me in sheer terror.

“I saved your ass in there from sneaking in. I have a feeling you know what they’re capable of. I would not suggest going it on your own. Act like you’re with me, and I’ll keep you safe. Make the right choice, Goldie.”

It doesn’t take long. She opens her small purse and pulls out her keys. “I don’t choose them or you. I’m packing up and moving back to Virginia.”

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