I gripped her arm. “Hey,” I said, calmer. “What is going on?”
“You’re stupid—” she whispered, this time painfully serious, “—if you actually believe Juliette was a prostitute.”
I stared at her.
Her expression turned down, as if she were disappointed in me. “I thought you were a good guy. Thought you were better than that.”
“Better than what, Nessa?” I threw my hands out. “What didIdo?”
“Don’t call me that.” She shook her head. “I never want to be called that again.”
What?
She wiped her eyes on the cuff of her sleeve. “Do you mind if I sit?” She didn’t wait for permission—just walked over and dropped onto the couch, one foot tucked under her, head in her hands.
I followed, sitting on the opposite end.
“Sorry.” She sniffed. “I cried the entire flight here and gave myself a headache. I think I might be dehydrated.”
At that, the resident hospitality specialist made himself known. “I gotchu.” Theo jogged across the room, grabbed his favorite electrolyte drink from the fridge, and jogged over to her. He cracked the top and held it between his hands like an offering.
She looked up at him, surprised, a groove forming between her brows. “Thank you.” She took it from him and tossed it back. “Oh, that’s good.” She gulped some more.
Theo stood frozen, staring down at her, because as we’ve already established, Theo likes shiny, pretty things. And vulnerable and makeup-less was the prettiest version of Nessa I’d ever seen.
I cleared my throat.
Theo blinked. “Oh. Yeah. You’re welcome.” He made his way back to the others.
Nessa turned to face me. “My real name isn’t Nessa. Or Vanessa. Or any version of that. It’s Laney.”
My head jerked back. “Juliette’s Laney?”
She nodded, shame in her eyes.
My hands flew up, gripping the sides of my head.
It all made sense now.
“That’s why I’m so angry at her right now.” Her hands twisted in her lap. “I know we’re not close anymore, but I thought Julie cared about me at least a little bit.”
“What’re you talking about?” I asked. “What happened to make you say that?”
“Only… everything.” She forced out an exhale and began. “Apparently, DayGlow was sex trafficking her, and?—”
A curse leaked from my throat, like someone had stabbed me in the trachea.
My cousins and brothers echoed, hissing swear words of their own.
Except for Theo, who punched at the sky and hooted, “Told you!” as if this were fabulous news.
I fell back onto the couch, trying to wrap my head around it.
Jules had been trafficked?
Nessa… sorry, Laney, looked over her shoulder, eyebrow raised at all the guys whose heads were poking out of the bedroom. “Who are all these men, eavesdropping on our private convo?” she power-whispered.
“Oh, sorry.” I shook my head, trying to clear it. “This is actually my cousin Theo’s house.” I pointed. “He’s the one who gave you the drink.”
