Page 99 of Save Me
I know that pitch in her voice. It’s hopeful. She’s hoping I’m going to say “nah” or “we’re just having fun” or any combination of words that means she still has a way in.
There might have been a time when I would have felt satisfaction with crushing that hope after the pain Tasha caused me. Now, I only wish her well.
“Yeah, but it’s serious.” At least it is for me.
“Well … I’m happy for you. Truly. Kinda shitty for me.” She smiles sheepishly. “But I guess I realized what a good thing we had too late.”
From the corner of my eye, I spot Olivia strolling toward a black sedan, dressed in a business suit, pulling her suitcase behind her. What the hell? She’s supposed to be on that fishing charter.Shit.“I gotta go.”
“Oh, yeah, go, do what you’ve gotta do. I hope I see you around so we can catch up.” Tasha takes off in a rush to rejoin her friends.
And I jog over to reach Olivia just as she’s about to climb into an airport taxi. “Hey.”
She stalls. “Ronan.”
“Why aren’t you out there reeling in a grouper or some shit like that?”
“Because I lost my fishing partner. Some man with a broom for a mustache showed up at my door to replace you. I turned him away.”
“That’s Darian.” I chuckle. “Damn, has Belinda already promoted him into my position?”
“I have no idea. I stopped listening the moment I opened my door. So, that’s it for you here?”
“Looks like.”
She slides her sunglasses off to reveal concerned eyes. “How are you doing?”
“I’ll be fine. Sorry if the back half of your game wasn’t as much fun.”
“I wouldn’t say that. The eleventh hole wassomething. And then Henry triple bogeyed,twice. It was a spectacular fall from grace. I doubt he’s ever played such a terrible round in his life.”
“I guess he won’t be claiming that pot.”
“I’ll say.” She grins. I think I’ve finally met someone—other than Sloane—who truly dislikes Henry. “That county commissioner and the mayor left their rounds and hunted down Henry to speak with him at length. Stalled our abysmal game, and then he drove off after the fifteen hole without so much as an apology. They were definitelynot happy. I noticed a few carts with people holding cameras whizzing by.”
“Rushing to get their shot before the evidence vanishes.” I don’t know what it is about Henry Wolf, but he attracts headlines like flies to shit.
“Those bed sheet banners will be on the front page of state and local news by Saturday.” Olivia nods in agreement.
“That’s what we’re hoping for.” Because a lot of questions will inevitably follow.
She studies me intently. “Was it worth it?”
“I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Breaking a confidentiality agreement is the least of my worries now. I give her the thirty-second rundown about Henry’s plans.
She hums when I’m finished. “You must really like this woman to go to all this trouble.”
“I do. But I also don’t like Henry demolishing people’s lives so he can get richer. How much money does one person need?”
“You do know which industry I play in, don’t you?” Her laughter is soft.
I shrug. “What can I say, Gayle’s lips flapped like a flag in the wind after a glass of champagne, and she gave me ammo. I decided to use it. Nothing else has been working.”
“Some people really shouldn’t drink.” Olivia shakes her head. “To be fair, though, I was dead sober when I admitted my unhealthy fear of horses. I suspect you have an unusual skill for getting people to say and do things they normally wouldn’t.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that once or twice.” I jut my chin at the open trunk, where the driver patiently waits for Olivia to release her grip on her bag. “So? You going home early?”
“Yes. A few issues have come up that I need to deal with in person. Plus, I miss my girls.”
