Page 103 of Wicked Beautiful (Wicked Games 1)
My brain waves a big red flag that reads: a place of no secrets.
It could be my last shot.
I square my shoulders, toss my head, and decide to go for broke. “I’m finishing this, Tabby. I’m too far down the rabbit hole to give up now. Whatever happens this weekend, Parker Maxwell will end up sorely regretting he ever fed this kitty his churro.”
Tabby raises her brows. “You named his dick after a donut?”
“It’s a pastry.”
She snorts. “Well, like I always say, all a girl really needs is fifty million dollars and a pastry.”
“Meet me in five with my bags in the lobby; I’ve got to go to the ladies’ room before my bladder explodes.”
I turn to head to the bathroom, but Tabby grabs my arm. “Victoria, wait.”
Arrested by the new tone in her voice, I stop and stare at her. She looks back at me silently for a moment, and then sighs.
“Just be careful, OK? I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”
I study her face, noting the worry in her eyes. “Worse than the feeling you had after the last Avengers movie?”
“Way worse.” She pauses for a moment and then adds softly, “You remember how to access the bug-out bag, right?”
All the hairs on my arms stand on end. “We’re not even going there, Tabitha. Everything will be fine. You know I can handle myself.”
“It’s not you I’m worried about, boss. It’s him. Don’t forget what’s at stake here; if this situation with Parker goes sideways, you could lose everything. Everything. And we both could wind up in prison.”
She releases my arm, turns, and walks away, leaving me to stare after her with those terrifying words echoing in my ears.
THIRTY-ONE
As promised, Parker is waiting for me in the lobby, leaning casually against the concierge’s counter with his arms folded across his chest and a secret smile on his face. When he sees me, he straightens. His smile grows wider.
Walking beside me, Tabby mutters, “Would you look at that shit-eating grin? This is so fucked up.”
“Shhh!” I manufacture a smile that probably looks more like a constipated grimace; Tabby is really starting to freak me out.
“Ladies,” says Parker when we stop in front of him. He looks at me. “All set?”
“Ready to go!” I answer brightly. “Wherever it is we’re going!”
If I thought Parker’s smile was secretive before, now it’s positively covert. I’ve never seen anyone’s mouth take on such a sly, mysterious slant.
Tabby nudges me with her elbow. I resist the urge to kick her in the shin.
Parker snaps his fingers, and a porter hustles over from across the lobby. “Put these in the black Rolls in front,” says Parker, gesturing to my bags.
The porter immediately obeys. I’ve seen speeding trains move slower. I’m not sure which one of us the porter recognized, but I’m sure he’s hoping for a nice fat tip.
Here’s a tip, darling, I think, batting my lashes at Parker. I put the hot in psychotic.
I don’t care if I have to set him on fire to do it. I will have my revenge.
“Well,” says Tabby, “have a great weekend.” Her gaze on me grows sharper. Her voice drops. “Call me if you need anything, whatever time it is. You know I’m always available for you.”
Parker settles his arm around my shoulders. “Victoria’s lucky to have such a dedicated assistant.”
Tabby laughs mirthlessly. “You have no idea.” She gives a little wave using only the tips of her fingers, and then abruptly turns and leaves without saying good-bye.
