Page 132 of Notorious

Rowan shakes his head and gives me his wide, evil grin. “Just come hang out sometime.”

“I will.” God help me, I will.

Charlie insists on driving me back to my house in my car, and Rowan follows. We say goodbye in the driveway, and I walk up the stairs into the living room, still a little shaky, but trying to hide it.

As I enter, Johnny is putting down his phone, looking stunned.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“That was Danny. He says that Gary Pinkerton wired the entire amount owed, plus interest. He paid it all. Danny took my bank information so he could forward me the proceeds.”

I manage a smile. “That’s awesome.”

He stares at me. “You don’t sound totally surprised. Wait, have you been crying?”

Joining Johnny on the couch, I climb into his lap and tuck my face into his neck. “I have to confess. I had something to do with it.”

“What happened?” Johnny’s voice is wary and concerned.

“I … found someone who went with me to see Gary this afternoon. I wanted to punish him for what he did to you, and I was planning some kind of revenge. But once I found out you won, I wanted him to pay. Literally pay you.”

“Which he did.”

“And it went too far.” I swallow hard. “Gary’s dead.”

Johnny sits bolt upright. “What?”

I nod, a tear sliding down my cheek. “It was awful. I feel like utter shit. I put the plan in motion, but I didn’t realize … I didn’t let myself realize how bad it could get. He tried to hurt one of the people I was with, and …”

“Gary Pinkerton is dead?” Johnny’s eyes are wide and scared.

“Yeah.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah,” I repeat.

“What about— I don’t want you going to jail, darlin’,” Johnny says.

“I’m pretty sure we won’t get caught. My friend is next-level as far as access to resources, and he didn’t seem worried. And … this definitely wasn’t the first time he’d been involved in something … dark.”

Johnny holds me tight, and we sit there for a moment, quiet.

“I’m glad he’s dead,” I admit, “but at the same time, I wish it hadn’t happened. I feel sick knowing I was involved.”

“I’m horrified that you had to do something like that on my behalf. It’s terrible. It makes sense that you’re upset.” He pauses. “At the same time, is it evil to say I’m glad he’s not here to hurt anyone else?”

“I dunno right now. All I know is I wanted completion. I wanted to put all of this to rest. I wanted it to be done. And now it is, and …” I shudder. “I don’t know. I guess I just have to try to make sense of it somehow.”

More silence. Johnny’s arms are strong around me, and I let his warmth melt away the unreality of the day.

We hold each other on the couch for a long time. Finally, I whisper, “I guess I slew one of your demons. For real.”

“Thank you,” he whispers back, squeezing me tight. “Holy fuck, it’s over.”

A news report the next day says, “Pinkerton Studios CEO dead in apparent suicide after expressing regret for sex crimes.”

I keep waiting for the police to show up at my door, but they never do.

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