Page 117 of Twisted Truth

“Nothing!” I say, hurriedly.

She raises her right brow. I shrink a little. Lucy’s right brow lift means business.

“What are you not telling me?” Her words are soft and lethal. And this is the first time I’ve realized she has that scary, intimidating quiet to her like Asher does. He doesn’t intimidate me when he’s big or gruff or yelling, it’s when he’s still and quiet that I know I’m in for trouble. “Ella?”

“Um,”

And then I crack. Like a weak little egg. I crack so fast it’s pathetic. And all of my secrets come spilling out like a vomit of information, practically hurled at Lucy. Mother bear Lucy. Queen Lucy. All she had to do was give me one scolding look, and I crumpled in two and a half seconds.

I flop down onto my bed and bury my face in shame. Both at Lucy’s look of shock at the truth and because I’m so ashamed of my idiot self for not being able to keep a secret. I’m never drinking again.

“How much money is he paying you?” Lucy asks.

“A lot,” I say into the comforter of my bed.

“How much is a lot?”

“Five million dollars.”

“Hmm. That’s adequate, I guess. But a drop in the bucket for him. You should negotiate for more. From what I’ve seen,you may never know true privacy again after this; he’s definitely getting the better end of the deal.”

I flip over and stare up at her. “What, you’re not mad about this?”

“Oh, I have feelings about it. But you’re an intelligent woman, and you’ll make it through just fine. You’re the only one who doubts yourself, Ella. The rest of us know how strong you are. But I think you undervalued yourself in the negotiations.”

“You only think that because you come from money.”

“Yes, and because I come from money, I know what the Langford’s can afford. And it’s a hell of a lot more than five million dollars.”

“Are you mad at me for lying to you?”

“No. I assume there is some sort of NDA involved.”

“Yes.”

“So, I’ll have to sign one now.”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll go to the Langford building first thing Monday morning to do it.” Her smile glints with malice, and it cools my blood.

“What are you going to do?” I demand.

“Me? I’m not going to do anything,” she says in a too-innocent voice. “I’ll sign the NDA. I don’t want you in any trouble.”

“Lord, help us,” Zahra says, rolling her eyes and looking like she’s praying for patience. I’m not the only one who caught the undertone of Lucy’s words.

“But you have that look on your face.”

“What look?”

“That,I will burn the world down and smile while I do it,look like you’re some hot Russian assassin in a movie.”

Lucy scoffs. “You need not worry about me, Ella Bella. Now, let’s get you to bed. Heaven knows you’re ready to crash.”

I try to argue, but a massive yawn escapes when I open my mouth. Lucy smirks.

Lucy and Zahra help me into pajamas and fuss over me until they’re sure I’ll sleep on my stomach.