Page 42 of Durango

“Cheating? No. I believe the videos were made before we were together.”

The woman laughs. “You’re naïve. How cute. That video was made about two years ago.”

I sit on one of the patio chairs as I realize all those videos could have been made while we were together. How many women was he with?

“Ever since I met him, he worked long hours, so I never thought anything of him being gone as long as he was,” I say.

The woman sits down across from me. “Tyler Bentley does not work long hours. I can assure you of that. He comes from a rich family and comes and goes as he pleases. Last I knew, he was working for his family’s company, but he’s rarely there.”

No, she has the wrong person. “His last name isn’t Bentley. It’s Sampson.”

The woman shakes her head. “Wow, he lied to you about his name, too? His last name is Bentley. You were with him for six years? Did you ever meet his family?”

Actually, I didn’t. “I met Tyler through a coworker. He was a friend of a friend. He told me his family was dead, so no, I never met them.”

“Well, I’ve known his family for years. Tyler is a playboy. Although, he did disappear from the party scene for a while. Perhaps that was for you. But I assure you I did not agree to this video. Tyler knows I never would. There are others?”

“Yes. Did you catch the headlines about Marnie?” Samantha asks.

Carmen arches a brow. “Marnie and Tyler? I only saw she denied some affair rumor. I didn’t see the details.” Her eyes widen. “But wait, it’s true?” She smiles. “That will certainly hurt her family-focused brand.”

Carmen seems a little too pleased with Marnie’s troubles.

“So, why did you two bring this to me? You want money to keep quiet?” Carmen asks.

“Money?” I ask. “No, we wanted you to press charges.”

The woman laughs. When we don’t react, she laughs harder. “Oh, you two are funny. Why the hell would I risk my reputation and my marriage by coming forward about this?” She yanks the USB stick from her laptop and throws it on the floor. Using her shoe, she crushes it into small pieces. “I didn’t consent to the video, but I sure as hell am not going to blow up my life because Tyler is an asshole. If that is all, please see yourselves out.”

“But what about the other women he’s done this to? It isn’t right,” I say.

“I don’t care about them. Leave now.”

Well, that wasn’t the response I hoped for. But then again, I also wasn’t expecting to find out my ex had a double life. Howcould he have, though? The first year, we were together a lot, except for the long hours that he apparently didn’t work.

My head is spinning as we walk through the house to the front door. In the living room, I spot photos on the fireplace mantel. Something compels me to look at them. I walk closer, and at first glance, they appear to be family photos, but I spot Tyler in a few of them. He’s surrounded by people I don’t recognize except for Carmen.

“Let’s go,” Samantha urges.

I don’t know what comes over me, but I grab one of the photos and hold it against my chest as we walk out the front door. We’re halfway to the car when Samantha notices I’m holding something.

“Did you just steal something from her house?” she whispers.

I nod. “I’ll show you in the car.”

I get into the passenger side, and Samantha takes the driver’s seat.

“What is it?”

I hold it out, showing her the photo.

“Do you recognize anyone else?”

“No. But everyone looks wealthy, don’t they?”

Samantha shrugs.

“Why would Tyler take control of my money in our bank account if, apparently, he had plenty of his own money?” I ask.

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