Viper: Sheriff's moving on Morgan. They're picking him up at his apartment.
Me: Good. Keep me posted.
Viper: What about the event tomorrow?
If Morgan gets arrested tonight, it could be all over the news by morning. The charity will be exposed as a fraud and Karina will be the one left standing in the wreckage.
Unless someone makes sure the real story gets out first.
Me: Secure all the evidence. Donor lists, wire transfers, everything that proves Karina's clean.
Viper: Already done.
Pocketing my phone, I look back at Karina's window. While I can't undo my decision not to tell her, I can make sure she doesn't pay for Morgan's crimes.
I can't fix this for her. But I can give her everything she needs to fix it herself.
Chapter Eleven
KARINA
I don't sleep.
I’ve tried to call Ty, AKA Chet Morgan, multiple times but his phone is switched off. I leave him a message and a text, saying I need to see him in person. I want him to look me in the eye and tell me it was all a scam.
I lie in bed with Dolly curled against my side and stare at the ceiling, replaying every moment. Every lie. Each time Clay gazed at me with those intense eyes, while keeping secrets that could destroy my life.
My mom was right. I'm too gullible, too desperate to be liked. I'm exactly the screwup they always thought I was. Dolly whines and licks my chin. I scratch behind her ear.
“At least you're honest,” I tell her. “When you hate someone, you growl at them. No games.”
She huffs in agreement.
I spent my whole life waiting for someone to believe in me. Ty believed in me, so I ignored the red flags. Clay believed in me, so I fell into his arms without asking questions. I handed over my trust like it was worthless, because deep down, I thought I was worthless.
But I'm not. I built that event. I charmed those vendors and recruited those volunteers. That was me, nobody else. And I'll be damned if I let it fall apart because of two men who lied to me.
I get out of bed. Shower. Put on my favorite jeans and a bright pink blazer. Dolly watches me with a surprised expression.
“We’re going to face this. Whatever's waiting for me at that community center, I'm going to handle it.”
She wags her tail. Good enough.
The drive feels endless. I rehearse how I’ll confront Ty and what I'll say to the volunteers.I'm sorry. The charity was a fraud. I didn't know.I practice the words until they stop catching in my throat.
The parking lot is full when I arrive. That's strange. I wasn't expecting anyone until ten. My stomach churns as I park, pick Dolly up, and walk toward the entrance.
The doors are propped open. I hear music inside. Voices. Laughter.
What the hell?
I step through the entrance and freeze.
The event is up and running.
Heart-shaped balloons are clustered in corners, with an arch over the buffet table. Volunteers are at every station, greeting visitors, offering hugs, and handing out pamphlets about mental health resources. There’s a photographer snapping photos and a journalist interviewing the community center’s manager.
Some of the volunteers are wearing leather cuts. It’s the Ridge Renegades, every one of them. Brick is at the welcome table, looking wildly out of place with a heart-shaped sticker on his cheek. Viper is manning a donation box, scowling at anyone who walks past without contributing.
