Page 199 of Wild Card

Finally, after a minute of his scary silence, Rylee opens the trunk.

“Your call. You want to confront her, now’s the time,” Talon gently prods.

I think about the past year and how much damage her deceit did to my self-confidence. The way our once close-knit family is now in tatters. I slunk into a shell of a person, pushing myself for the better but not really living.

My mind cuts to the present and the amazing turnaround.

The last time I saw Rylee, I was in a heap on the floor of Rendezvous, her screaming awful things. Even after being charged with disturbance, she thought she got the best of me.

Confrontation has never been an interest, but tonight is different.

“I want to talk to her.”

Talon links our hands, leading me into the open. As I suspected, she zones in on Talon first, not noticing the woman beside him. When she absently casts her gaze my way, the blood drains from her face.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Willow, these yours?” Robbie motions to the bags.

I pretend to inspect every single one, drawing out my answer, then face her. “Yes, these are the bags stolen.”

Shayla shrieks dramatically, clutching at her pearls. “You tried to sell me hot Gucci! How dare you?”

“Ma’am, you may want to head out. You won’t be buying a purse tonight,” Robbie suggests, barely hiding his amusement.

“Yes, sir, I can’t believe I almost bought from a… a… thief.” She hustles away, staying in character until she’s in her car.

“That’s my necklace, too.”

Rylee’s hand goes to her neck, twisting the diamond pendant. There’s no way I‘ll wear it again, but she certainly isn’t keeping it.

“You set me up,” she seethes.

“Hardly. This was all a waiting game once we knew you broke into my house. It wasn’t a stretch you’d be stupid enough to sell my things after the mess you got yourself into.”

“I didn’t break in. Grandma and Grandpa gave me a key.”

“True, but they have my name on the lease as a renter. You entered my residence without my permission, which is against the law.”

A little white lie never hurt anyone, but it does get the intended effect when the crimson hue returns to her cheeks, this time with a lethal rage. She’s backed into a corner.

“You bitch.”

Talon’s body goes solid, and I run my thumb along his to let him know it’s okay.

“Your insults don’t affect me, Rylee. And honestly, the handbags and jewelry weren’t that big a loss. But you hurt Wolf.”

“So what if your ratty ass dog shit all over your room.”

Fire sparks in my gut at the slur toward Wolf. “You poisoned him.”

“Bet you can’t prove that.”

“Wouldn’t take that bet,” Robbie counters acidly. “I’m an investigator, you think I don’t have my shit together?”

She’s smart enough to keep her death glare aimed at me.

“Now I have animal cruelty and animal endangerment to add to breaking and entering, theft, and destruction. You’ve been caught red-handed with the stolen merchandise. The charges are adding up. Somehow, I don’t think paying a fine and community service will get you off the hook.”

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