“Doesn’t matter, “Julianne snapped.“If you’re going after Max, I want in.”
DeeDee and George stared at her for a moment, then at each other.Silently, they shook their heads.Letting a stranger in was too dangerous.
“Go away,” DeeDee snarled, leaning back in her chair to glare at the snobby bitch.
Julianne shook her head.“Not a chance.My boyfriend broke up with me because Max didn’t approve of our relationship.”She leaned forward, tapping a manicured fingernail on the table.“So, either you two let me in, or I go straight to Max.”She shrugged, adjusting her sunglasses to hold her honey blond hair back more effectively.
George looked at DeeDee with a shrug.“Sounds like another enemy,” he offered.
DeeDee sneered, then shrugged.“Whatever.As long as she can contribute.”
They introduced each other, using only first names.“So, we’re going to get to Max through the bitch from the party?”Julianne asked.
“Who says that?”DeeDee asked, trying to play it cool.
Julianne arched a perfectly sculpted brow.“Let’s not play dumb, DeeDee.I know exactly what you’re planning.And if you think you’re cutting me out, think again.”
George frowned, leaning forward.“Are you sure you want to be a part of this?Taunting Max is incredibly dangerous.”
Julianne smirked, crossing her legs as if she’d practiced the move.“I have just as much to lose as you two if Lexie stays in the picture.Tony dumped me because of Max.And why?Because Max thinks I’m not right for him.”Her voice turned bitter.“If Lexie’s gone, Max loses his focus, and I have a chance to fix things with Tony—or at least ruin Max’s pretty little school teacher.”
DeeDee snorted.“And you think you can help us with our goal?”
Julianne leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.“IknowI can.You’re going to need a secure place to keep her, right?Somewhere off the radar?”
George exchanged a wary glance with DeeDee before answering cautiously.“We’ve got a few ideas already.”
Julianne laughed softly.“You mean you don’t have a clue.Lucky for you, I do.Tony manages a storage facility on the outskirts of town.It’s unregistered, cash only.No one could trace it back to him—or to us.”
DeeDee eyed her suspiciously.“Why would you even offer?What’s in it for you?”
“What’s in it for me,” Julianne replied coldly, “is the satisfaction of seeing Max squirm.If that stupid bimbo is out of the picture, and Max genuinely cares about her as much as I think he does, he’ll be too distracted to keep interfering in my life.And if Tony sees Max scrambling to protect his precious woman, maybe he’ll finally realize what a mistake he made in dumping me.”
George considered her for a long moment, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the table.“You’re certain this storage facility is secure?”
“Completely,” Julianne assured him.“I’ll make sure it’s prepped—surveillance cameras, soundproofing, the works.We stash her there, send Max the message, and watch him squirm.”
DeeDee frowned.“And what’s your cut of this?”
Julianne’s smile was razor-sharp.“Just a seat at the table.I want to watch the fallout—and hopefully get Tony back in the process.”
George glanced at DeeDee, who shrugged.“Fine,” DeeDee muttered.“But you’re not running the show, Julianne.”
Julianne’s smirk widened.“Of course not.I’m just here to help.After all, we all want the same thing, don’t we?”
George nodded slowly.“Fine.Here’s how it’s going to work…”
As he laid out the plan, Julianne leaned back in her chair, her eyes glittering with malicious satisfaction.DeeDee glanced between her co-conspirators, her own motives simmering beneath the surface.Each of them had their reasons, their grudges, and their ambitions.And as the details fell into place, it became clear that this was a collaboration born of malice and desperation.
None of them trusted each other—but for now, their interests aligned.
Chapter 33
Lexiefoundherbagand packed it with the essays she’d graded over the weekend.It was Sunday night, and the thought of returning to her normal life should have brought her relief.Instead, a hollow ache settled in her chest.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Lexie fumbled for her car keys.They weren’t in the pocket where she normally kept them, and the tears blurring her vision didn’t help.Her thoughts spiraled in a chaotic loop.He doesn’t love me.She told herself bitterly, clinging to the idea because it was easier than acknowledging the deeper truth—that her fears were taking control again.
Hadn’t she learned this lesson a year ago?She’d left him because she’d been terrified he would become just as controlling as her father had been with her mother.With money comes power.Her father had dominated every aspect of her mother’s life—her choices, her dreams, even the smallest decisions.Lexie had vowed never to let that happen to her.
