"I want to own it. The narrative. The exit. The first image the press sees tomorrow should be me choosing myself, not me being discarded."
West whistles low. "That's—"
"Ruthless?" Natalie's voice has a edge now. Something sharp underneath the sugar.
I look at West. He looks back. There's something in his expression—respect? Recognition?
He catches my look. Nods once. "She's right. Maximum impact. Maximum witnesses. Maximum damage control for her family."
"I felt protected," Natalie says, and her voice softens. "By what you built. The evidence packet—the way you included contingency plans, resources, even notes about safety. You didn't just gather dirt, Jane. You thought about what would happen to me after."
My throat tightens. "Of course I did."
"That's why I'm calling you and not my lawyer." A pause. "I'd like to offer you an additional fifty thousand dollars to coordinate the execution tomorrow. I need you inmy corner."
I choke.
West's eyebrows lift. His hand presses firmer against my back, steadying me.
"No."
The word comes out harder than I intended.
"Jane—"
"No," I repeat. "I'm not charging you to take your life back."
Silence on the other end.
"The bridesmaids hired me to protect you," I continue. "I did that. The job's done. What happens tomorrow? That's not a job. That's just—" I search for the word. "That's just what you do for people who deserve better."
"Jane." Natalie's voice cracks. Just slightly. The first real emotion I've heard from her. "I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll tell me what you need. And we'll make it happen."
Another pause. Longer.
"Okay," she says finally. Softly. "Okay."
West reaches past me. Grabs the notepad from the nightstand. Pen. He's already thinking logistics.
"Walk us through it," he says. "What's the play?"
Natalie hangs up ten minutes later.
I set the phone down slowly. Stare at it like it might ring again with an even more unhinged request.
West hasn't moved. Still propped against the headboard, notepad balanced on one knee, pen hanging loose in his fingers.
"So," I say.
"So."
"That just happened."
"Yep."
I turn to look at him. "She wants us to blow up her own wedding."
