Page 76 of Beautiful Secrets

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I let her take my arm, but I don’t stop glaring at Cole until the door is separating us. As me and Sarah go down the stairs, I look her over.

If she wasn’t pregnant, I’d have pushed her and made a run for it.

Really, Mika?

I shove away the voice.

Why is he sending me away like this? I thought—God, Iactuallythought we had a connection today.

Was I imagining it?

Allof it?

I let out a snort through my nose.

“Everything okay, hon?”

“Da,” I murmur.

“Gosh, I love your accent,” Sarah says. “So Cole said you had a hectic day? What did you get up to?”

A moment later though, it’s impossible to talk. The music is blasting too loud. Sarah waves away the question and heads for the back of the club. I guess only guests come through the front door.

My eyes widen.

That’s it.

He literally handed me off.

I glance at Sarah before hurriedly straightening. Will her husband be taking me back to the estate? Is that why Cole dressed me up like this? To show Father that he didn’t hurt me?

I can’t explain the sudden hot pressure that builds up behind my eyes any more than I can explain why I still follow Sarah through a back passage and into the alley behind the club. She stops right by the club’s back door though, giving me a faint smile.

Resignation.

That’s why.

Something I wouldn’t be feeling if I’d just kept fighting. But I stopped, didn’t I? I thought…I thought things had changed.

“How much?” I murmur.

“Hmm?”

I pull my arm out of hers. “How much is he getting for me?”

Sarah frowns. “I…what?”

Screw this. I charge down the steps and into the alley. I’m sure I can outrun her.

“Mika!”

I turn, walking backward as I stab a finger toward the club. “Cole Hendry. How much is my father paying him?”

Sarah hurries after me. “Please, Mika. Wait here with me. Derek is almost—”

“Tell me!”

She holds up her hands. “Just calm down.”

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