He presses his lips together and tilts his head with sympathy as he narrows his eyes at me. “Yeah. Different because you’ve got me on your side this time. And together, we’re going to make a difference.”
I’m not sure what he means by that just yet, but I have a feeling he’s not the type of man who’s going to let it go.
CHAPTER 42: Everleigh Bradley
Where to Work
I’m crying as I walk around my condo, haphazardly tossing items into a suitcase as if I care what I bring back to Chicago with me and what stays here.
It’s better this way. I’ll get to go home, spend Mom’s last few months with her. Or year. However much time she has.
I really just need my toiletries, maybe a few clothing items. My red lipstick. My favorite heels. Everything else is back in Chicago anyway.
I never should’ve taken this job in the first place. I am terrified to tell Stuart that Jack fired me, but honestly, he probably already knows. Still, it’s a call I know I need to make.
Before I get the chance to make the call, though, my phone rings. I glance at my screen and see my brother Ford calling.
I draw in a deep breath and say a few practiceheys aloud so I don’t sound like I’ve been crying before I answer. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong?” he immediately asks, clearly catching me.
“I was fired,” I wail.
“Because of Dad,” he says flatly.
I mean…I guess in a way, it does all lead directly back to him, doesn’t it?
More wailing is my response. And some babbling. “And I fell in love with Maverick Jennings but it’s over now because he was caught there at Dad’s lounge and the police said if he named the operator the DA might let him off but he didn’t and he came to me and I said he couldn’t and now he feels like I didn’t choose him.”
“Well, you didn’t,” he points out, ever the man of logic. As if I need that right now.
“Whatever,” I mutter.
“This whole thing gets even messier. Did you know about Dex?”
“That Dad wanted him to run it when it opened?” I ask, supplying what information I know.
“Yeah. I guess he was bringing in whales. But Dad had listed his name as the operator originally. If it hadn’t been for Ainsley…” He trails off as I think that one through, finally filling in the ending.
“The FBI would be on his ass right now.”
“Yeah. And instead, they’re on someone else’s,” he murmurs.
“Who’s?” I demand, a little nervous to know the answer.
“Archer.”
“What?” I breathe. “How do you know? And how did Dad get him involved? And how? Just…how?”
“I’m trying to find out more. Tatum called me. She and Archer are done,” he says quietly.
Holy shit. “They’redone? And she called you?”
“She always calls me when they’re fighting. It used to be the way I kept tabs on him,” he admits.
“But then you went and fell for your younger brother’s girlfriend,” I say. It’s a clear accusation, but it’s also common knowledge between Ford and me.
“Shut up,” he mutters petulantly.
