Page 71 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

Chapter Twenty-Four

Quinn

Whatever Grant is planning, he’s not letting me in on all of it. That makes me nervous.

It’s bad enough he wants me to extend an invitation to my stepbrother, but to summon everyone who knows what I’ve done and the places I’ve hit? That’s practically begging for trouble.

I sit at the bar and stare at the phone in front of me. Grant is talking with his brother in the office. He’s giving me time to make the calls, but I haven’t yet worked up the courage.

Grant told me to use whatever tactic needed to get these assholes to show their ugly faces. Whatever his plan is, I don’t think it’ll work. Getting all of these men in one place is a recipe for disaster. I don’t want any part of it. But if Grant thinks I’m letting him face Billy and his goons alone, then he’s out of his mind.

Claude emerges from the back room and smiles. The tension in my body eases. He grabs a shot glass and pours a whiskey.

“Here, a little liquid courage will help.” He places the drink on the bar next to the phone.

“Thanks, Claude.” I down the shot and push the glass back to him.

He’s right. The burn of the alcohol dims to a warm embrace and takes the edge off. It’s not a solution to my problem, but it numbs the sharp edge of the blade I’m leaning against.

That sharp blade being Billy.

“Where’s Grant?” I search the room, but it’s just the two of us in the empty bar.

“Making some last-minute calls from the office.” He cleans the shot glass and puts it away. “He’ll be out in a few.”

“Fine. Let’s get this over with.” I pick up the phone and dial the first number.

“Who’s this?” Eddie doesn’t even bother with a greeting.

“It’s Quinn. You busy tonight?”

“I might be. What’s the merch?”

“No merch, a business opportunity.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Come to the Black Penny in Hell’s Kitchen. Nine o’clock. I’ll fill you in on the plan when you get there.” My voice holds steady. I missed my calling as an actress. This performance would put Meryl Streep to shame.

“What’s the payout?” Eddie doesn’t sound convinced.

“I can’t talk numbers over the phone, but it’s big, Eddie. Likeyou don’t want to miss this opportunitybig.”

---