“I overheard. The cops don’t know yet. Jimmy’s men found the body. They think it’s linked to some big guy in London, and Jimmy wants the club to help take him down.”
“See?” Fern hisses at me. “The club’s involved anyway!”
The office door opens and the men step out. Jimmy shakes hands with Kade and Diesel before leaving with the half-empty whiskey bottle.
Kade’s eyes land on my suitcase. His jaw tightens. “Saying your goodbyes?”
I nod.
“There’s things to discuss first,” Fern snaps, shooting me a warning look. “Let’s all sleep on it and talk tomorrow.”
“Eden can’t be walking the streets at this time of night looking for a hotel,” Lucy adds.
Kade exhales sharply, shrugging. “Fine. Whatever.”
He storms into his office and slams the door. Diesel watches us, suspicion darkening his face. “What’s going on?”
“I’ll tell you,” Fern promises, “but Eden has to tell Kade first.”
“I don’t think he’s in the mood for story time,” Diesel mutters. “Try tomorrow—”
Kade throws his office door back open. “Someone find me a whore!” he roars. “And not Eden.”
“Dick,” Fern mutters under her breath.
“I HEARD THAT!” he fires back.
“GOOD,” Fern snarls. “Grow the fuck up, and at least hear her out before you ruin anything you have left.”
He storms toward us, fury radiating from him. I keep my eyes downcast, not wanting to make anything worse.
“I didn’t cheat,” he snaps at Fern. “Shedid. She ruined everything.”
“And dragging a club girl into your office will fix it?” Fern mocks.
“Yes. Yes, it will. Jade? Jet? Nymph?Anyone?”
Jade appears, confused and hesitant. Kade’s never called for one of them before. He jerks his chin. “My office.”
Jade glances at me, like she’s checking I’m okay with it. Like it’s my choice. My heart aches as I force a weak smile, not wanting to nod in agreement, but not wanting to make her feel any worse than she’s going to.
“Do something,” Fern hisses in my ear urgently. “Stop him, or he’s going to feel terrible when he learns the truth.”
I close my eyes, take one steadying breath, and push to my feet.
“Wait,” I say softly. He keeps walking. “Wait,” I say louder. He stops and turns. The anger in his eyes hits like a punch, but I swallow down the panic. “I need to tell you something.”
“Make it quick,” he mutters. “I’ve got a night planned.”
I glance at Fern who nods encouragingly. I clear my throat. “Erm, can we go somewhere private?”
“No.”
“It’s delicate,” I say, twisting my fingers until they ache.
“Christ,” he growls. “Say it or don’t. I’m past caring.” He turns toward his office again and grabs Jade’s hand, dragging her along.
“I killed him,” I blurt out. Kade freezes mid-step. Diesel goes rigid beside him. Even Jade stops breathing as her eyes widen. “I… I killed Liam,” I whisper.
