Page 80 of Submission

“We can add more security to the building and assign her own security detail, just like Megan has.”

“I’m considering all of that,” I say. “By the way, Vaughn hasn’t mentioned Shelly in a while.”

“You’re dealing with enough.” Christian’s face grows heavy. “I didn’t think to give you an update on their drama.”

“Well, I’d like one now.”

“As you suspected, she was cheating on him. The investigator that Vaughn hired got some pretty damning photos of her with another man.”

“Figured as much.”

“There’s more.”

“What else?”

“She took out a life insurance policy on Vaughn as well. Two million dollars.”

“You’re fucking kidding me?”

“Nope, and he hasn’t said a word about it to me, although he obviously knows I know.”

“An affair is one thing. A fucking plot is another.”

“I already started looking into the divorce proceedings. I’ll handle it for him. Gonna bleed that bitch for everything she has.”

The venom in Christian’s voice is not surprising. Out of the three of us, Vaughn has the mildest personality and was head over heels in love with his wife. He’s the last one that should have been done dirty by a woman. He’s got to be hurting.

“I expected you’d kick up some dust on her, but this is going to be a shitfest.”

“That’s why he’s staying here with his best friend,” Christian adds slyly. “And it’s also why his other best friend is going to need to stay by his side as well and keep an eye on him.”

“While I sympathize, this is not a YMCA or a college dorm room.” I point hard at my friend as I walk into my bedroom. “Call the Four Seasons tonight, book yourself two rooms, and be gone by the time I get home from my event tonight.”

“Sure thing,” Christian ignores me, flipping lazily through his magazine. “I’ll get right on that.”

Chapter 32

She’s Coming In Hot!

Hunter

Afew hours later, when I arrive at Megan’s apartment to pick her and Lena up, I’m taken aback by what I see when I arrive. Lena has washed out the dye in her hair, and the true ashy blonde color of her hair is as striking as her dark eyes. I can’t help but stare at her when she opens the door and she blinks back at me.

“What? I wanted a change, and Naomi did my hair for me.”

Naomi’s head pops up from lying flat on the couch.

“I did a damn good job, didn’t I?

I ignore Naomi’s rhetorical question and offer Lena a tight smile. “I forgot how much you looked like Mom.”

It’s clear that my statement makes her uncomfortable as she shifts awkwardly between both of her feet. Naomi lays her head back down as if she’s attempting to step away from our private conversation.

“I do?”

“I have a picture of her if you want to see it. She was beautiful.”

As we wait for Megan to finish getting ready, I take out my wallet and remove a faded photograph that is creased by the folds. The woman in the picture is holding a toddler. Both of them share the same ashy blonde hair, but my mother has gray eyes like mine.

---