“We’ve well established that you’re sensitive. But that’s part of your charm.”
“Don’t patronize me to make me agree to your ludicrous plan.”
“I’m not. Honestly, I think you’ve been right to avoid the topic with him. Let it stay buried in the past. Like I said back then, he’ll only lie anyhow, so what’s the point? And especially now, more than ever, you should steer clear of hot buttons. Bringing up the icky past will only make him defensive, and we need him open for this to work.”
“Okay, let’s assume I’m able to get details about the case out of him. What then?”
“Depending on what you learn, we can figure out how to use it to stop the gambling ring without you going to jail in the process. Ideally, we can get something that will help us make a deal with Silas.”
I hate that I don’t instantly hate her idea.
“A deal?”
“Yeah, like we get Silas to give us whatever proof he has of you marking the cards. After you’re free and clear, I’ll go to the cops about what they did to me, leaving you out of it entirely. Once he’s behind bars, it’s only a matter of time before he blabsabout the entire operation, and they can bust everyone in one fell swoop.”
Pouting, I let my head sag, my chin falling to my chest. “I don’t know, Kenz. I have no clue how to work over Reed. I’m not manipulative. He’ll see right through me.”
“You can convince him. Use that big ass of yours for the greater good, sister.” She makes two fists and does an awkward seated hip thrust, making my stoic mask fade into something resembling amusement. “Yo’ mama didn’t give you all that junk in your trunk for you to let it go to waste. Plus, you’re not giving yourself enough credit. Don’t forget how you swiped his keys. I’ll believe in you enough for the both of us.”
With unfocused eyes, I stare at the wall. Scenarios, doubts, and fears pepper my mind.
Her plan hassomemerit.
After all, we don’t know what we don’t know. Reed and Agent Andrews may have uncovered information about Silas that we can use to force him to hand over the evidence he has on me. Then we can turn him in, saving myself in the process. Exactly like Kenzie said.
She taps my knee and springs to her feet. “I’ll go play catch-up with the dumbass, acting like I give a shit. You get dressed in something sexy, yet casual, and come out. I’ll suggest we all go out to dinner.”
“How am I going to seduce him if you’re there?” I hold out my empty palms. “Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to have you as a buffer. In light of your highly questionable plan, having you there doesn’t jive. Right?”
“Already thought of that. I’ll fake a migraine and excuse myself not long after we get there. You’ll have him all to yourself. Turn on that adorable charm of yours. Bing, bang, boom. Done. Next thing you know, Reed’s spilling all his secrets, then Silasand his buddies will be tossed in the slammer for kidnapping me.”
Of all the regrets in my life, something tells me this will be the one that keeps me up at night long into my golden years.
Seducing Reed Hayes for the purpose of saving myself from prison. And more importantly, giving justice to all the people Silas has hurt while stopping him from committing more atrocities.
Sounds like a good plan on the surface. The latter feels a touch noble, even.
The question is... am I strong enough to do this without letting him break me like he did before?
Losing my sister destroyed my soul. But no one has ever broken my heart quite like Reed Hayes. And here I go again, willingly giving him the stage for a repeat performance.
Kenzie pauses at my bedroom door, her hand hovering over the knob. There’s a quiver of uncertainty softening her voice when she asks, “You’ll do it, Lila, right?”
I trail my vision over her arm, noting the still-healing marks on her fair skin. A lump forms in my throat, clogging my windpipe.
Resigned to my fate, I nod. “Yeah, sweetie. I’ll do it.”
“Thank you.” Her face crumples, and she dives into me, folding herself around me in a bear hug. “Because I can’t lose you, Lila. You’re all I have.”
“Same, Kenz. Same.”
THIRTEEN
Kenzie the cockblocker
REED
In a million years,I never thought my sister would help me get close to Lila. If anything, it’d be the opposite. That’s how it’s always been.
